The Best Stand Mixers, According To Our Testing

The Bottom Line

If you are looking for a durable stand mixer that offers quiet yet powerful performance, we recommend Breville’s the Bakery Chef, because it has efficient presents, a game-changing integrated timer, and a double-sided scraper that ensures no dough is left behind. 

If you want a more budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on style or efficiency, choose the Aucma 6.5-Qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer. Its retro design comes in six fun colors to match any kitchen, and the powerful 660-watt motor coupled with a six-speed gear shift handles most small to medium tasks.

Our Testing Process

We rounded up 22 of the best stand mixers and put them through a series of tests in the lab. We mixed batches of whipped cream, cookie dough, and whole wheat bread dough, and then cleaned each stand mixer thoroughly to observe not only performance but ease of cleanup.

For the whipped cream trial, we recorded how long it took for soft and then stiff peaks to form and how well the mixer incorporated the cream and powdered sugar. During those tests, we observed how much the engine seemed taxed and the level of noise emitted. Finally, we looked at the volume of whipped cream produced by each stand mixer. 

Then came the cookie dough trial. For this one, we documented how long it took to prepare the cookie dough, the adequacy of the stand mixer’s bowl capacity, and whether it remained stable while mixing the dough. Like the whipped cream test, we looked for how well ingredients were incorporated, whether the engine seemed taxed, and the noise level during operation. 

The last operational test we performed was mixing a batch of whole wheat bread dough. Again, we evaluated how long it took to prepare the dough, the capacity of the bowl, whether it remained stable while operating, and the noise level. Though we looked at design features in all the tests, the bread dough trial yielded stark differences among the machines. We also evaluated the elasticity of the bread after kneading in the stand mixer to see if it was adequate, overworked, or needed additional kneading.

Finally, we thoroughly cleaned each stand mixer. We looked at whether attachments were dishwasher safe or required handwashing, how easy it was to access all parts of the machine for cleaning, and whether the stand mixer needed to be disassembled before cleaning. We also evaluated whether any of the tests produced a mess while operating the mixer and how easy it was to clean those. In the end, we took all ratings across tests and evaluated the value of each stand mixer.

Tips for Choosing the Right Stand Mixer

Included Accessories & Attachment

The more versatile your stand mixer, the better value, and often that comes down to included attachments and accessories. Attachments like pasta makers, food grinders, spiralizers, and food processors eliminate the need for other single-use appliances and open the world of stand mixer usefulness beyond just a vessel to make baked goods. 

Lucas cites a wire whisk as the most important attachment. “It’s very useful for whipping cream and fillings, making meringues, sponge cakes, and more.” He also sees a flat beater as essential to aid with soft doughs like pie crust, cookies, and brownies. 

Beyond those two, he recommends, “a dough hook attachment for making any kind of bread—It stretches the dough to create the gluten web so your bread will be light and fluffy, a pasta roller/cutter to facilitate pasta making, and a food grinder helps a lot if you like to make burgers, meatloaf, grated cheese or sausages regularly.”

Enache cautions against coated accessories, “Solid metal does not chip over time like enamel-coated accessories tend to do.” She adds, “Consider if the accessories reach the sides of the bowl—I’ve used mixers that left a lot of space between the paddle/whisk and the side of the bowl, necessitating way more scraping than necessary.”

Size & Mixing Bowl Capacity

Before selecting a stand mixer, assess how much counter or storage space you have and what types of projects you have planned. Stand mixers come in different sizes with different bowl capacities. Lucas adds, “The volume of your mixing bowl is very important. If too big for your needs, it will be hard to whip small quantities of cream for example. If too small, you will have to divide your recipes into smaller batches, which is very inefficient. For me, 5 liters (5 quarts) is the sweet spot for home use.”

Enache points out that a bowl large enough to leave room for mixing and aeration, without overloading the bowl is essential. She adds, ”I prefer taller, high-capacity bowls, rather than wider—not having to make multiple batches saves a ton of time.”

Power

Like the bowl size, you’ll want to evaluate the power of the machine to the volume and type of products you’ll be mixing. At a minimum, look for 250 watts to get you through light cake batters and liquids like whipping cream. If cookie dough is in the works, a 325-watt or greater motor will give you the power necessary to combine all the ingredients. For heavier projects, like bread dough or multiple batches, look for at least 500 watts. 

Number of Settings

Stand mixers generally fall between three and 12 speed settings, but at their most basic there should be a low, medium, and high speed setting. Lucas suggests, “getting a stand mixer with at least four to five speed settings, so you can mix or knead on the first two settings and whip on the higher ones.”

Whichever model you choose, be on the lookout for controls that are easy to operate. Nice options are settings designed specifically for dough, whipping cream, and other common tasks.

Warranty

If taken care of properly and not overworked, stand mixers tend to last at least a decade without issue. Warranties are especially important when you first get your machine. Pay attention to how the motor is performing during operation. If you find it overtaxed even with simple projects, this is where the warranty becomes important. Most machines come with one to three-year warranties and can include the entire machine or just the attachments.

More Stand Mixers to Consider 

SMEG Retro-Style Stand Mixer: This stand mixer got high marks for ease of use and cleaning, it performed well in all three tests, and we appreciated the capacious bowl which enabled multiple batches at a time. We did find that the motor has a high-pitched whine no matter which setting is selected, and by the bread dough test, the motor was getting warm, though it did not seem taxed. We appreciated the splatter guard for keeping messes at bay, and we found it comparable in price to other machines with similar capabilities.

Kenwood 5-Qt. Chef Kitchen Machine: This stand mixer performed well in all our mixing trials, and we especially liked the large capacity for fully incorporating ingredients. While kneading bread it ran a little loud, and it also presented the challenge of locking into place with both the cookie and bread doughs. But the included guard was an appreciated extra and the design with tools on top of the machine made for easy use.

Questions and Answers

What is the lifespan of a stand mixer?

The general wisdom is a good stand mixer that has been properly cared for can last 10-15 years. There are some Southern grandmas out there still using their stand mixers far beyond that, but a decade-plus is a reasonable lifespan. 

Motors, like with any appliance, eventually burn out, and maintaining the grease on the gears of a regularly used mixer is something the everyday user probably doesn’t do. Still, when looking at the financial investment, it’s a good deal for such a long service life.

What are the different types of stand mixers?

Most stand mixers fall into one of two camps: tilt-head mixer and bowl-lift mixers. Tilt-head mixers are perhaps easiest to operate; this mixer style lifts at the neck for easy access to the bowl for adding ingredients or scraping. But depending on the design of your kitchen, this can also be a challenge if you have low-lying cabinets. Tilt-head style mixers represent the bulk of available countertop stand mixers—switching attachments is easy, and the compact footprint makes them a great choice for cozy kitchens. 

Bowl-lift mixers utilize a mechanism that raises and lowers the bowl while the head remains stationary. Bowl-lift mixers tend to have wide bases and are built to accommodate large or heavy batches of dough. They do typically tend to weigh more than other styles, but they often offer a more powerful engine for baking enthusiasts who like to make multiple batches of dough and batters. All the mixers on our list are either tilt-head or bowl-lift mixers, with the exception of the Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer, which doesn’t use an overhead mechanism at all but instead uses a rotating base that spins the bowl itself. 

How much does a stand mixer cost?

There is a wide range in price when looking at stand mixers and many factors come into play. Multifunctional models often come with a steeper price tag, but powerful stand mixers that get the job done are available in affordable price ranges—basically, the more complex the model, the more expensive the price tag. Our list ranges from the budget choice at $140 to the versatile, ultra-chic $750 option, and everything in between.

Before moving on from your wooden spoon or hand mixer, evaluate the types of projects you would use it for. If you’re only an occasional user, opt for a more budget-friendly choice and ease into the world of stand mixing. If you’re an avid baker or regularly prep for complex projects and parties, invest in a more expensive model that can handle frequent use and large batches. Plus, if you have a baking enthusiast in your life, a stand mixer is always a great gift for their birthday or another special occasion.

What’s the difference between a hand mixer and a stand mixer?

Hand mixers are generally used to mix small, lighter batches, while stand mixers are better for large batches and longer mixing times. You can use hand mixers to whip up icing or dressing, and even for scrambling eggs. 

Stand mixers should be used for making bread dough, pasta, and even ice cream. Even though they’re different, both of these gadgets come with their own benefits. Stand mixers require less attention, are more versatile, and have different speed functions, while hand mixers are easy to maneuver, smaller, and work with different types of bowls.  

Why Trust Southern Living

Carrie Honaker is a food and travel writer who believes in eating dessert first. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she has baked thousands of pastries, pies, and cakes—she knows the importance of a reliable stand mixer when dealing with the chemistry of baking. She loves her KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer for tasks large and small. Plus its beautiful mango hue looks stylish on the kitchen counter. 

To compile this list, we tested 22 of the best stand mixers available in the lab, evaluating them based on power, capacity, design, size, features, and value. Carrie also spent hours researching what to consider when shopping for stand mixers, including versatility, ease of use and cleaning, and dough consistency. For expert tips on what to look for in stand mixers, she spoke to Jean-Baptiste Lucas, pastry chef and instructor, and Kara Enache, pastry chef at Black Bear Bread Co.