Best Stand Mixers for Your Kitchen

There are few products on the market today that, when you buy them, you expect to last a lifetime. Most things fall apart, run out of steam, or go kaput just after a few years. Stand mixers are some of the few kitchen appliances that can deliver decades of quality performance. 

This particular countertop appliance is an investment, which is why our team wants you to find the best stand mixers for your buck. Whether you’re a pro baker or an amateur cake maker, these stand mixers will stand the test of time and help you create mouthwatering food. 

Best Stand Mixers

After careful research and reviews, we’ve assembled this guide to navigate the sea of stand mixers available today. While the best stand mixer for you will depend on your preferences and what you need out of a kitchen appliance, these options are an excellent place to start your research. 

Best Overall: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer

For a sturdy, utilitarian stand mixer, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer is a classic and dependable choice. It’s not cheap, but you’ll find that this mixer can cut through nearly all of your mixing needs. KitchenAid built this mixer to last, and it’ll serve you for years if it’s worked correctly. 

The Artisan 5-Quart mixer can handle a capacity of nine dozen cookies. Its stainless steel bowl is easily cleaned and features a comfortable, slip-prevention handle. The mixer features ten different mixing speeds, a tilt-head design that allows for easy access to the bowl, and you can buy one in over 20 different colors. The appliance thoroughly mixes products with its “59-Point Planetary Mixing Action.”

With the mixer’s “power hub,” bakers can use their stand mixer as a one-stop-shop for food creation. Over a dozen different attachments can link to the mixer at that point and ultimately create different kinds of pasta, shred foods, and more. The motor wattage for this mixer typically runs at about 325; it delivers a reliable amount of power for most bakers. The bowl locks into place on the base plate to ensure your mixing doesn’t spill out everywhere. 

For a more decadent alternative, you could consider the Artisan Design series from KitchenAid. These products are similar to the classic Artisan series, but they come with a glass bowl, burnished aluminum attachments, and fewer color options. We have covered the differences between the KitchenAid Classic vs Artisan in more detail previously.

The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer is very highly rated by users. For decades, bakers and chefs have turned to KitchenAid, and for a good reason: the company delivers a product that typically lasts for years. 

We do want to note; several users report that when kneading dough, the bowl doesn’t stay locked in the mixer’s base plate. This mixer may not be the best choice if you’re consistently trying to mix a stiff dough. However, for general use, you can count on this stand mixer to carefully and efficiently tackle a wide variety of baking requests. 

Best Valued: Cuisinart SM-50BC 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer

If you’re looking for a stand mixer that won’t break the bank but can still serve as a reliable kitchen appliance, check out the Cuisinart SM-50BC 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer. This product features a 500-watt motor, powerful for your standard mixer, and a capacity for five dozen cookies. 

The bowl itself is made of stainless steel, and it’s dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. One notable feature of this product is that it comes with a splash guard and pour spout for the bowl. You can cut down on food splatter or possible spills that often occur while mixing foods. 

The mixer itself features a tilt-head design to allow for easier bowl placement and removal. It’s available in several colors and also has an outlet that can support compatible attachments, like a meat grinder. While you must buy those higher-end external accessories separately, the product does come with several arm attachment options to help mix different foods, including a dough hook and a chef’s whisk. 

We recommend this product as the best value because it’s significantly cheaper than its competitors while still promising a powerful mix. This product has a few flaws, just like any, but they weren’t enough to cut this mixer from the list. For example, there are 12 different speeds to choose from on this mixer, but we found the RPM doesn’t compare to KitchenAid’s power and precision. It’s also not the superior option for handling thicker mixes.  

Best Professional-Grade: Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer

The Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer is a high-performance product that could work in your home kitchen but is best for professional-grade cooking. Its 7-quart design holds a capacity of 14 dozen cookies. Beyond its large scale, it also packs a powerful punch with its 500-watt motor and torque. It maintains a constant level of power, no matter the density of your dough. 

One of the best qualities of this particular type of stand mixer is its bowl lift. The design is unique and allows for straightforward locking and removal. To access your bowl, twist the handle about 90 degrees to raise or lower the mixing base. After raising it, you can safely use the mixer, and after dropping it, you can slide the bowl out. 

Similar to competitors, you can modify the speed of this mixer. However, it also comes with a pulse option to add ingredients to the mix efficiently. The stand also comes with a “Specialty Attachment Area,” which allows users to connect added attachments to the mixer to help with things like food processing and grinding. 

The price of this particular mixer is enough to make potential customers pause. It’s one of the most expensive options on our guide. It’s also heavy and takes up a significant amount of space on the counter. That said, it is a high-quality choice. With careful attention and care, you can get years out of this durable and robust product. 

Best for Bread Dough: Ankarsrum Original 6230 Stand Mixer

Ankarsrum is known for its heavy-duty, sturdy design, and bakers particularly know it as being a go-to choice for bread making. The 7-liter design on the Ankarsrum Original 6230 Stand Mixer allows bakers to handle a lot of dough in every batch. 

This mixer has a surprisingly quiet motor, especially considering it ranks at about 600 watts. It’s one of the heavier options on the list, weighing in at over 28 pounds. It’s the kind of mixer you’ll want to set up and then leave on your counter, so you don’t have to lift it above your head or pull it in and out of cabinets. 

The stainless steel bowl has a capacity of 21 cups of flour, although users recommend using less if you’re trying to mix stiff or thick doughs. The mixer is available in several colors and features a speed control knob that spans 45 to 130 rotations per minute.  

While this product comes with several attachments, like a dough scraper, it can also support several added features to make for a more robust mixing experience. By opting for the citrus press attachment, for example, you can squeeze fruit and create your own homemade juice. Other extensions include a meat grinder, vegetable slicer, blender, and more. The attachments are sold separately from the mixer, which can add to its overall cost. 

This mixer is an excellent option for kneading and mixing bread, but it can also beat eggs or serve as a cake or cookie dough mixer. The machine works best with larger batches, and it’s expensive. If you’re not using it frequently to make large batches of cookies or bread, it likely won’t be worth it. 

Best for Beginners: Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Stand Mixer

The Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Stand Mixer is one of the most budget-friendly options on our list. For that reason alone, it’s an excellent starter stand mixer for beginning bakers. 

This mixer is relatively compact and won’t take up a ton of space in your cabinet or on your counter. The 300-watt motor is adequate for average bakers. It’s not quite professional-level mixing, but it will mix your cake doughs and eggs really well. 

With just a single button, users can tilt the mixer upwards to allow for easy and direct access to the bowl. The mixer allows for seven different speed levels for slow-to-fast stirring, depending on your recipe or dough. You can consult their complimentary mixing guide to see which speed level is best for your recipe. Its planetary mixing technique also helps cover the entire bowl, so no dough gets left behind in the mix. 

The bowl itself is made from stainless steel, and it comes with a splash guard to prevent any spills on your counter. The bowl does only have a 4-quart capacity, which is smaller than some of the other options on our list. It can likely only handle a couple of batches of cookies at a time. 

This stand mixer comes with a dough hook, whisk, and flat beater for versatile mixing. It’s only designed as a stand mixer, though, and doesn’t feature an outlet for adding several external attachments, like meat grinders or more. This mixer is available in several colors, but it is made of plastic. It’s not as durable as competitors. 

Best for Small Kitchens: KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer

For bakers looking for a high-quality mixing option but need it to fit in a small space, check out the KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer. It features the high-quality promise that comes with a KitchenAid product, but in a smaller, lighter size. 

The company vows that this mixer can hold a capacity of five dozen cookies. The motor has a wattage of 250— which may run into issues with thicker doughs, but it will work well with most standard mixing. Similar to the Artisan mixer, this product comes with a tilting design to allow for straightforward access to the bowl. 

This mixer is heavy-duty; It features ten varying speeds for powerful mixing. It also comes with a “power hub,” that allows for the attachment of several optional added features. These accessories enable the users to make things like homemade pasta, or spiralizers for fruits and vegetables, to create a centralized cooking device. 

The mixer features several mini tools, like a coated dough hook and a wire whip for different mixing, whipping, and kneading options. It’s available in several colors for shoppers, too. This type of mixer works best with thinner doughs. Like bagel mixes, thick doughs could be too harsh for this stand mixer or may require users to scrape the sides of the bowl during the mixing process to ensure everything gets used. 

This product is still an expensive option and is definitely best for people who plan on consistently baking or using the product. The bowl also doesn’t come with a handle, which we don’t feel is a dealbreaker, but it can be challenging to maneuver or grip. 

Honorable Mention: KitchenAid 6-Quart Professional 600 Series

This KitchenAid 6-Quart Professional 600 Series is a powerful tool for your kitchen. If you’re an avid baker, or you’re continually juggling larger dough batches, this mixer is an excellent addition to your cooking arsenal.  

The device consists of steel and iron, with a stainless steel bowl. It’s a durable mixer that can withstand a significant amount of pressure and work. The mixer features a 67-point planetary mixing action, which ultimately means that, when it rotates, it hits 67 different points of access throughout the bowl, ensuring a thorough mixture. 

The Professional 600 series is equipped to handle large-scale jobs. If you don’t need a large-capacity mixer — which is capable of yielding about 13 dozen cookies, by the way — then it may be best to save some money and steer toward another mixer. 

We did want to point out this appliance’s bowl-lift design. Bakers can raise and lower the bowl via a lever to access the mixing arm. It’s a sturdy way to keep the bowl in place, and it can handle heavier ingredients, so you can feel confident the bowl won’t tip over. 

This motor is powerful, but it also sounds pretty loud. If your kitchen is central to where everyone is sleeping, people could potentially hear it. Like other KitchenAid products, you can use the attachment plug to hook up added fixtures to grind meat or create fresh pasta. 

Some users say the dough hook and attachments that come with the mixer appear to be slightly low-quality and degrade over time. Fortunately, if you think that’s the case for your accessory, you can find replacements online to continue producing quality food. 

Like other KitchenAid products, you can count on this mixer to serve you for a long time. It is an investment, though, and it’s one that will cost you several hundred dollars. Fortunately, this appliance comes in a variety of colors, so you can match one to your kitchen or find a mixer that is as fun as you are.  

Why Use a Stand Mixer?

You may be questioning whether a stand mixer is worth the cost or whether it would be a useful addition to your home. You don’t have to be a professional to benefit from one of these appliances. 

Bakers can create excellent doughs and mixes by hand; there’s no doubt about that. For generations, people have made fantastic food this way. However, an electric mixer is a massive time-saver and quality-assurance addition to your kitchen. 

Electric mixers can cut your mixing time in half, at least, when baking. Say goodbye to “mixing elbow.” You can rely on this product to create whipped, frothy, or smooth mixtures — lumpy doughs will be a thing of the past. Even with hand mixers, you’ll be able to quickly whip up your dough and get started on the next part of your recipe. 

However, a stand mixer can save you even more time than a hand mixer. By just flipping a switch, you can start the rotation and then walk away. The appliance will take over the rest. Use this time to start preparing your filling or make your icing, whatever you want! On some devices, you may even be able to set a timer, so the arm only mixes for a specific amount of time. It’s a straightforward and no-fuss way of baking. 

By “quality-assurance” we mean that this product will consistently deliver excellent mixes. A stand mixer will help you ensure that your dough is made to an exact specification. You can set the mixer to different speeds, mixing modes, and times to match your preferences. While you may not always get the recipe entirely correct, at least your dough will still be top-notch.

Stand Mixer Buying Guide

If you’re hoping to research standing mixers on your own but aren’t entirely sure which features to consider, we hope you’ll find some useful pointers within this buying guide. Before making your investment, we strongly recommend that you list out which features are most important to you. If you know what will work best in your kitchen, it’ll help narrow down which mixers will fit the most for your budget and baking style. 

Sizes

The capacity of a stand mixer and its physical size and weight are crucial components. If you opt for a mixer that’s heavy or impossible to move around, it may not work at all for your apartment-sized kitchen. If you’re picking a cheaper, smaller stand mixer just to get one but learn it can’t handle the food capacity your family requires, that’s money down the drain. 

We recommend stand mixers with a 5-quart bowl; it’s a perfect medium among available products. While it can fit larger dough batches, it can also safely hold most standard recipes. It efficiently handles small-scale projects, too, like whipping an egg. Large bowls may not properly tackle smaller projects, and smaller bowls won’t handle things like large bread doughs. 

Motor Capacity

Your standing mixer’s motor wattage and torque capabilities will be massive for the lifespan of your device. A higher watt rating typically means that your machine can handle thicker, heavier, or larger mixes. It’s also likely capable of frequent or prolonged use. 

Standing mixers with lower wattage can absolutely still prove useful in your kitchen, but they may work best with softer, thinner, or smaller doughs. They’ll be able to wade through standard recipes and could even potentially handle more considerable challenges. 

You’ll see fairly quickly if your mixer isn’t able to handle a dough blend; the machine will likely slow down and exert some effort to blend the mix. Some users even find that the bowl slides out of place, or the mixer itself bounces along the counter as it tries to work through particularly rough doughs. 

Attachments

Most stands now come with several kinds of featured attachment arms for flexible mixing. Look for products that at least come with a dough hook, a chef’s whisk or wire whip, and a flat beater or optimal mixing. If the product you’re eyeing doesn’t come with essential accessories for mixing, you can likely find a completely different stand mixer at the same price point with more variety.  

Added Capabilities

Some mixers support the possibility of adding extra attachments to the appliance to turn it into almost a completely different cooking tool. If your device comes with an outlet that allows users to connect new devices onto the mixer, you can add things like spiralizers, grinders, or pasta tools to create entirely new foods.

Typically this attachment outlet is on the upper, front side of most mixers. It will likely cost you a bit more money, and you’ll need to buy these attachments separately on top of the mixer, but it can open up your cooking possibilities tremendously. If you’re an avid baker and cooker, this feature serves as a full-service kitchen tool. It’s an investment that can be fulfilling for amateur or professional cooks. 

If you don’t need these additional tools and are solely looking for a kitchen mixer, then looking for a mixer without this power outlet can save you a significant amount of money. 

Bowl Security

Ensure that the stand mixer you’re choosing comes with some form of a locking system for your mixing bowl. If the product lacks a lock for your bowl, it could slide all over the place while you’re mixing. 

That said, also keep an eye out for locking systems that aren’t user-friendly. Some users struggle with the bowl-lock arms on the KitchenAid 6-Quart Professional 600 Series, for example, and say it’s sometimes too difficult to slide into place and remove. You want to look for a device that fits your capabilities. 

Splatter-Resistance 

Splatter-resistance may now sound like a dealbreaker, but for many people, it can be. If your mixing bowl is constantly splashing food around or spilling over the edge, cleanup can prove to be a massive headache. 

Look for products like the Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer, which has a “soft start” option when it begins to mix. That slow start helps prevent the familiar initial splatter when a mixer first rotates in a wet dough or liquid mixture. 

You could also consider looking for products that come with a form of splash guard that attaches to the bowl. With that extra feature, you can choose whether you’d like to use it or not. They may seem slightly clunky, but when you’re handling large or particularly messy mixes, they can be a massive relief. 

Terms to Know: Planetary Mixing

“Planetary Mixing” is a term used by manufacturers to explain the contact and revolving motions of a mixer’s attachment. The bowl typically remains in place while the attachment rotates around the bowl as if it were orbiting a planet. 

The mixer head typically rotates in an opposite motion from the direction the attachment is moving. It ultimately helps ensure thorough mixing, and it scrapes dough off the side of the bowl as it mixes. 

Final Thoughts

Before you swipe your card, keep in mind that research will be your best friend in this process. If you have an idea upfront of the kind of food you wish to bake and the features that you’ll benefit most from, it’ll save you a significant amount of time, cash, and headaches when buying your stand mixer. 

The best stand mixers are the ones that fit your needs and are well-suited to your kitchen. You can’t go wrong with the products listed in our “best” list, particularly with the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer, which is our overall best choice. It fits most standard recipes, it’s easy to use, has a medium price-point compared to most stand mixers, and is extremely high-quality. You’ll get a lot of use out of that product. 

However, if you’d like to strike out on your own and find the appliance that works best for you, we commend you. The buying guide will help narrow down a few features to keep an eye on as you round out the tools in your kitchen.