We evaluated various stand mixers to find the best options available on the market.

Best Overall

The Breville Bakery Chef Stand Mixer performed admirably in every test we gave it, including whipping cream, mixing cookie dough, and kneading whole wheat bread dough. We were impressed with how effortlessly it whisked heavy cream and sugar together, and the additional features, such as the dough setting, were a game changer. The beater’s effectiveness in mixing our cookie dough was remarkable, leaving no dry spots in the bowl, a result that was not achieved with other stand mixers we tested.

The product’s unique beaters, which feature scrapers attached to both sides, contribute to its excellent mixing ability, ensuring a thorough incorporation of ingredients and easier cleanup. This stand mixer also boasts an integrated timer, 12 settings (one specifically for whipping), and a light on the mixer’s edge for better visibility while baking. It comes with two bowls: a 5-quart glass bowl and a 4-quart stainless steel bowl. Given its impressive quality and user-friendly features, we’d confidently buy this for ourselves or recommend it to dedicated bakers.

After six months of using this mixer at home, we discovered it works best for larger batches, as the bowl can be too deep and wide for small quantities like blending a single stick of butter with sugar. However, it handles smaller cream batches well, as the ingredients stay off the bottom and don’t require frequent scraping. Despite this, the mixer remains attractive, easy to maintain, and excels with bigger tasks, particularly bread dough.

Attachments: Scraper beater, flat beater, dough hook, whisk | Wattage: 550 watts | Capacity: 5-quart glass bowl, 4-quart stainless steel bowl | Weight: Not listed | Speeds: 12

Best Budget

Finding a budget-friendly stand mixer that performs well is a challenge, but the Aucma Stand Mixer exceeds expectations. In our tests, it delivered results comparable to pricier models. This is impressive considering it has fewer speed options (six), yet still performs like higher-end models with more than 10 speeds. The Aucma mixer includes a 6.5-quart bowl and essential attachments like a flat beater, dough hook, and whisk.

We discovered that this stand mixer works best with small to medium batches. It performed well with whipped cream and cookie dough, but struggled with bread dough. This is where the affordable price shows its limits: The dough didn’t knead properly, and the mixer vibrated harshly, spilling flour while operating at its highest speed. The result was a wet dough that needed extra kneading. Despite this, we still believe it’s a great option for average home bakers, as long as they avoid big bread batches.

Attachments: Dough hook, flat beater, whisk | Wattage: 660 watts | Capacity: 6.5 quarts | Weight: 12 pounds | Speeds: 6

Best Compact

One of the common challenges with stand mixers is their large size, which can be an issue for those with limited kitchen space. The Kenwood 5-Qt. Chef Kitchen Machine is just under 12 inches tall, making it more compact than many stand mixers (for comparison, the popular KitchenAid Stand Mixer is over 14 inches tall). This smaller size allows it to fit easily under cabinets or on countertops, while also providing more space to lift the part of the machine where you attach the dough hook, whisk, flexi beater, and Kenwood’s signature K-beater.

This stand mixer not only boasts a compact design but also proves itself as a reliable kitchen workhorse. The 5-quart stainless steel bowl easily handled our cookie and bread dough recipes, mixing the ingredients with great efficiency. We were particularly impressed with how well it handled the bread dough, which developed impressive elasticity and didn’t require any additional hand-kneading—something we often have to do with other mixers. However, the downside was that it became louder and shook while mixing the dough.

After using it for six months, we noticed that the release lever became a bit sticky. However, we still love the dishwasher-safe attachments and how sturdy the mixer is, especially when working with heavy doughs. It has quickly become our preferred mixer whenever we bake.

Attachments: K-beater, flexi beater, dough hook, whisk | Wattage: 750 watts | Capacity: 5 quarts | Weight: 23 pounds | Speeds: Variable

Best for Small Batches

For those just starting in the world of stand mixers, a lower-capacity model might be the best fit. The KitchenAid Artisan Mini -Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer offers a -quart bowl and comes with essential attachments like a flat beater, dough hook, and a six-wire whisk. Plus, as a KitchenAid product, it’s available in a variety of fun, vibrant colors such as red, baby blue, and a chic matte green.

This mini mixer proved sturdy and worked as expected in our tests. It handled mixing whipped cream and cookie dough without any trouble. However, it faltered when we tested it with whole wheat bread dough, likely due to its 250-watt power (similar to hand mixers). Given that kneading dough requires significant power, it’s no surprise that after 14 minutes of mixing, the dough was still underkneaded. If bread baking is a priority, you may want a more powerful machine.

Attachments: Dough hook, flat beater, whisk | Wattage: 250 watts | Capacity: quarts | Weight: 18 pounds | Speeds: 10

Most Versatile

This Swedish-designed stand mixer is versatile enough to handle both large and small batches with ease. It's unique in several ways: First, it's more compact, standing just over 14 inches tall and weighing only 19 pounds, making it perfect for those who want to store their mixer in cabinets. Second, its bottom-mounted motor provides stability, preventing any shaking or movement during use. Third, it offers the ability to operate two attachments at the same time. For instance, combining the dough scraper and dough roller made for a smoother kneading process.

In addition to the dough scraper and dough roller, the Ankarsrum comes with a range of rare attachments, including a dual whisk and double cookie beaters. The 7-quart mixing bowl can accommodate a large amount of ingredients, while the 600-watt motor delivers ample power. During our testing, it was able to successfully mix everything from delicate whipped cream to dense whole wheat dough.

After six months of use, we've really grown fond of the modern, futuristic appearance of this stand mixer. While it did take some time to adjust—especially if you're accustomed to mixers like the KitchenAid (we referred to the user manual and YouTube tutorials)—once we got the hang of it, using it became effortless and enjoyable.

Attachments: Dough scraper, dough roller, dual whisk, dual cookie beaters, dough hook | Wattage: 600 watts | Capacity: 7 quarts | Weight: 19 pounds | Speeds: Variable

Ideal for Beginners

For anyone just starting in baking, the Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer is the ideal tool for small to medium-sized tasks. It’s perfect for beginner-friendly projects like two batches of cookies or bread. The mixer handles both larger and smaller quantities effortlessly, and it's user-friendly when it comes to both operation and cleaning. The only tricky aspect we found was the splatter shield, which requires lifting the mixer to attach it, as it doesn’t easily slide over the mixing attachment.

We appreciate the convenience of the programmable dial, which offers various settings like whipping or mixing, as well as specific times for tasks such as making whipped cream or kneading bread dough. This ensures that each mixture receives the correct technique and timing every time. No matter what you're baking, it comes with the necessary attachment—whether it’s a dough hook, paddle, or whisk—to get the job done.

While the Cuisinart mixer performed excellently with cookie dough and whipped cream, we did notice that during prolonged use, particularly when kneading bread dough, the motor became warm and a bit noisy. However, at just under $200, this stand mixer offers solid value and is a great choice for beginners seeking an all-purpose, versatile baking tool for honing their skills.

Attachments: Whisk, dough hook, flat mixing paddle, splash guard with pour spout | Wattage: 500 watts | Capacity: 5.5 quarts | Weight: 17 pounds | Speeds: 12

Final Recommendation

We suggest the Breville Bakery Chef Stand Mixer for its versatility in handling various recipes, from light whipped cream to thick whole wheat dough. Its diverse features, including 12 speed settings, a timer, two different-sized mixing bowls, scrapers built into the beater, and a light positioned at the top for improved visibility, impressed us. For those on a budget, the Aucma 6.5-QT 660W 6-Speed Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is an excellent choice for most tasks, though it doesn't perform as well for mixing bread dough, and it comes at a much more affordable price.

Our Evaluation Process

We tested 22 different stand mixers in our lab, evaluating them on design, performance, size, features, ease of cleaning, and overall value. To gauge performance, we used three recipes with varying textures—whipped cream, cookie dough, and whole wheat bread. For each, we timed how long it took to mix the ingredients, assessed how well the ingredients were blended, and noted any design elements that helped or hindered the mixing process. We also observed whether the machine overheated, if the motor struggled at high speeds, and how noisy it was during operation. Additionally, we recorded whether the mixer shook while handling the thicker doughs for cookies and whole wheat bread.

Next, we evaluated the ease of cleaning each product. This included whether the bowl and attachments could be washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher. We also considered if the product required disassembly for cleaning and whether the stand mixer’s body had hard-to-reach areas that made wiping it down more challenging. At the end of our testing, we determined if we would purchase the stand mixer ourselves or recommend it to friends and family. The top performers were taken home for further testing over six months, and this guide was updated with new findings.

How to Shop for Stand Mixers Like an Expert

Capacity

Capacity refers to the amount you can fit into the mixing bowl. Stand mixer bowls typically range from as small as quarts to over 7 quarts. The size you choose should be based on how much you bake. According to McDowell, one of the most common mistakes people make is purchasing a stand mixer that’s either too big or too small for their baking needs.

“For instance, a ‘professional’ model with a larger capacity (7 quarts or more) might not be practical for someone who does small-batch baking—it can actually hinder the mixing of smaller quantities,” she explains. “Imagine trying to whip a half cup of cream in a huge bowl versus a smaller one—the whisk will engage more with the cream in the smaller bowl, while in the large one, it may not even reach it.”

On the other hand, Gordon is a strong advocate for larger capacities. “A 4-quart bowl is quite small, limiting you to only a dozen or so cookies at a time, and perhaps just a single layer of cake depending on its size,” she says. “If you plan to bake frequently, I’d suggest going for at least a 6-quart bowl.” If a larger-capacity mixer is out of your budget but you bake a lot, Gordon suggests purchasing extra bowls. “Having additional bowls will help you tackle more complex recipes or prepare multiple batches without constantly needing to clean between rounds,” she advises.

Velez mentions that certain stand mixers allow for the use of various sized mixing bowls, which eliminates the need to buy a stand mixer solely based on its capacity. The Breville Bakery Chef, for instance, comes with both a 5-quart glass bowl and a 4-quart stainless steel bowl.

Attachments & Features

Standard stand mixers typically come with essential attachments like a flat beater, whisk, and dough hook. Flat beaters are perfect for making cookies, whisks are designed for whipped cream and meringues, and dough hooks are ideal for bread. Most baking tasks only require these attachments, but some mixers come with additional accessories that can be quite helpful, such as dough rollers, dough scrapers, and cookie beaters. While extra attachments are fun and useful, Leshnick advises against spending extra money on them unless you’re certain you’ll use them. “You can always buy additional attachments later,” he suggests. “Start with the basics for the recipes you’re planning to make.”

Other practical features that are often included with stand mixers are spatulas, which help to manually mix ingredients between mixing sessions and also assist with cleaning. Splash guards are another helpful addition, preventing ingredients from spilling out while mixing, and some models even come with an extra mixing bowl that’s a different size from the standard one.

Wattage

While wattage is often emphasized as a crucial factor when choosing a stand mixer, the bakers had differing opinions on whether it's a foolproof measure of the mixer’s effectiveness. Leshnick mentions that one of the stand mixers used at Breads Bakery is 500 watts and performs excellently. Rather than focusing solely on wattage, he advises purchasing a commercial-grade stand mixer for its durability, as these models are designed to endure more wear and tear.

If you're still considering wattage as a deciding factor, note that wattage in the 200-watt range is typically found in hand mixers. So, if you're planning to invest in a stand mixer, which will be significantly more expensive, you might as well choose one that starts at 500 watts.

More Stand Mixers to Consider

Smeg Stand Mixer: We were charmed by the Smeg Stand Mixer’s retro aesthetic and the wide range of pastel colors it comes in. It stood out as one of the easiest to clean, thanks to its dishwasher-safe bowl and attachments, and there were no issues with ingredients splattering during our recipe tests. While it performed well overall, we did notice a high-pitched whine from the motor at any speed. Additionally, it comes with a hefty price tag.

Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Stand Mixer: This mixer boasts a 7-quart capacity, a handy speed dial, and a splash guard attachment to reduce mess. Though it may not have the sleek appeal of a KitchenAid mixer and occupies significant counter space, it’s a robust, heavy-duty machine that works quickly—albeit with a bit of noise. However, it’s the priciest option on this list.

Questions You Might Ask

What advantages does a stand mixer have over a hand mixer?

The primary advantage of using a stand mixer is that it significantly reduces hand and arm strain. Anyone who has ever used a hand mixer for a short period of time can attest to how quickly it becomes exhausting. While a hand mixer is more affordable, stand mixers are a worthwhile investment if you bake frequently due to their comfort and efficiency.

Stand mixers are faster and more efficient than hand mixers at mixing ingredients. They’re especially helpful for large baking tasks and more difficult ones, like kneading dough. However, because they come with a higher price tag, they are only worth buying if you bake regularly or have someone in your household who does.

What is the difference between a tilt-head stand mixer and a bowl-lift stand mixer?

A tilt-head stand mixer requires you to tilt the top part of the machine to add ingredients and change attachments. On the other hand, a bowl-lift stand mixer has a bowl that attaches to the machine and is raised up to meet the attachments using a lever.

Our experts agree that neither type is superior in terms of performance, though some believe the tilt-head stand mixer offers a bit more convenience. According to McDowell and Velez, the tilt-head design makes it easier to scrape ingredients off the sides of the bowl. Leshnick also finds that tilt-head mixers make ingredient additions simpler.

A key difference between these two stand mixers is size; bowl-lift models tend to be larger than tilt-head ones. Therefore, ensure you have enough counter space before purchasing one. Also, with tilt-lift mixers, verify that you have sufficient vertical clearance for raising the top portion of the machine.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Mytour. We researched and tested 22 of the most popular stand mixers in our lab, assessing factors such as ease of cleaning, design, performance, size, features, and value. We also consulted four professional bakers for advice on choosing the best stand mixers: Paola Velez, pastry chef and co-founder of Bakers Against Racism; Edan Leshnick, head pastry chef at Breads Bakery in New York; Erin McDowell, recipe developer and cookbook author; and Anna Gordon, founder and chef of The Good Batch Bakery in Brooklyn.