The 6 Best Stand Mixers, Tested & Reviewed

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Out of the 25 top-rated models we tested, these are our favorite picks for home bakers. vacuum lab oven

The best stand mixers automate all of baking’s toughest challenges. Kneading bread and creaming butter and sugar — just a couple of the many laborious baking tasks — can be finicky even with tips and tricks from the best baking cookbooks. When you have a top-notch stand mixer, however, getting the perfect consistency in everything is easier, whether you’re making buttery croissant dough or perfecting a cookie.

"We use a stand mixer in the bakery all the time for small projects both savory and sweet, whipping cream cheese, small-batch cookie recipes, research, and development," says Zak Stern of Zak the Baker in Miami, a James Beard Outstanding Baker Award semifinalist. He looks for mixers with heavy-duty construction: "I want to buy tools built strong enough to pass down to my kids. I try to avoid all the bells and whistles. Those are typically the first things to break."

A stand mixer is also a must-have for Sarah O'Brien, owner of Little Tart Bakeshop in Atlanta and a 2022 James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Baker. "I cream the butter for my cookies to the max, so I need one with a good motor," she says.

With the help of these two bakers (and our in-house team of experts), we put 25 of the best stand mixers to the test. We've tested classic and new brands, making batch upon batch of whipped cream, meringue, cookies, and whole-wheat bread dough.

This heavy-duty, multifunctional mixer is built to last a lifetime.

It can be loud and wobbly under heavy load.

The KitchenAid stand mixer is an icon of the modern kitchen. This machine's streamlined look, twist-to-lock bowl, and simple controls haven't changed much since they were first introduced in 1937, and it's a testament to how well-designed the thing is that it's still a best-seller almost a century later. That applies to pros as much as home cooks, too: Stern says he loves KitchenAid because the mixers are "classic, strong, and easy to repair if necessary." Plus, you can get the mixers in dozens of charming colors and designs. Each is attractive enough to leave on the countertop and small enough to stow away.

In testing, the 5-quart Artisan worked slightly slower than competitors, but it whipped, combined, and kneaded reliably, evenly, and thoroughly. It's easy to clean, with a dishwasher-safe bowl and attachments that have smooth surfaces and fewer corners to catch crumbs. The motor placement makes it top-heavy, however, which leads to wobbling and shaking when running at high speed or when the bowl is full. It's also on the loud side. However, this stand mixer is the best choice for anyone getting into baking or needing something simple. It can last through decades of cookies, breads, and more for an impressively low price.

This quiet-yet-powerful mixer does the job quickly, with efficient presets and automated timers.

It can't fit any optional attachments or extras.

On top of its high power and quality materials, this Breville stand mixer is a nice size for any counter. It completed every task in our testing quickly with minimal noise and mess. It whipped cream to stiff peaks in 18 seconds, far faster than any other model, and it mixed cookie dough and kneaded bread dough evenly, efficiently, and quietly.

After two rounds of testing, the most notable function of this stand mixer is its 12 speed settings each named for their purpose — knead, beat, whip — and the fantastic, built-in timer. You can set a mixing session and move on to the rest of your recipe, knowing the machine will shut off automatically. We also love the integrated light to illuminate the contents of the bowl and the machine's overall upscale look.

The Breville Bakery Chef comes with all the standard blades and beaters and separate glass and stainless steel bowls. During our most recent testing, we noticed the stainless steel bowl was too small for large batches of cookie dough but could still contain the mix with some scraping. On the other hand, the whisk attachment couldn't reach the base of the mixing bowl during our meringue tests, so we had to add more of the recipe. However, the finished meringue was smooth, easy to shape, and less sticky than competitor models. The only big reason that you might want to skip this mixer is if you're looking to expand its functions with additional attachments. Unlike KitchenAid and some other brands, there aren't compatible meat grinders, pasta rollers, or similar accessories.

Great for the occasional baker or a frequent, casual home baker, this mixer is an all-around dependable kitchen tool for pancakes, muffins, holiday recipes, and more.

Dimensions: 11.4 x 14.8 x 14.3 inches | Power: 550 watts | Speed Settings: 12 | Capacity: 5 quarts | Weight: 21 pounds | Includes: 5-quart glass bowl, 4-quart stainless steel bowl, scraper beater, flat beater, dough hook, whisk, splash guard, pouring shield, spatula

The easy-to-access bowl-lift mechanism makes this extra-large mixer extra-stable.

Given its large build, moving this mixer on and off the countertop is potentially cumbersome.

"I love my KitchenAid," O'Brien says, "I felt like a real grown-up when I got my first one." She's had the same model at home for more than 15 years, and it's an older version of this 7-quart monster. (It's "the biggest one I can get!" she enthuses.) Rather than the head tilting down into the bowl like with smaller KitchenAid mixers, this one uses a crank to lift and lock the bowl in place under the stationary motor. It's more stable than the tilt-head design: This bowl-lift model was quieter and less wobbly than the other three KitchenAids we tested, and having the option to lower the bowl made scraping down the sides much easier.

The redesigned 7-quart KitchenAid comes with more attachments than most of its brand-mates, including a whisk, dough hook, and two beaters: the standard coated flat beater and a flat beater with silicone bowl-scraping edges. We were most impressed in testing by how well the large mixer handled small amounts; it was able to reach all parts of the bowl even when it was mostly empty.

We were particularly impressed with this stand mixer's user-friendliness: setting up the machine, attaching the bowl, and adjusting the settings are functional and intuitive. Because of its ease of use and its unbeatable efficiency, this model was the only one to get perfect ratings and all positive comments in testing (bar maybe the weight of the machine). If you have the space and the money, it's a good option whether you're feeding large or small groups.

The GE Profile smart mixer is a baker's workhorse meant to be used often. Even with its 7-quart capacity, this bowl-lift stand mixer is the most stable we tested as it exhibited no wobbling instability throughout our tests. We also found that the motor wouldn't get hot while it mixed bread dough, thick cookie dough, and meringue at high speeds.

We loved this mixer's integrated scale system that helps with precise baking and conserving dishes: You can measure on the base itself, in the bowl on the base, and on the mixer head. Plus, the hub is compatible with third-party accessories like KitchenAid attachments.

The GE is notably heavier than the other models we tested, making it difficult to transfer between the countertop and storage — it's really best kept on the countertop for frequent use. We also didn't find the app to be very useful, since you have to confirm your app selections on the physical machine. But, smart bells and whistles aside, this stand mixer is a baker's dream.

This compact version of the classic KitchenAid is useful for any avid baker with tight kitchen space.

The capacity is small, and its speed settings are slower than other KitchenAid models.

This tiny version of the classic KitchenAid is ideal for cooks with big aspirations who have small kitchens. The Mini works just like the other two KitchenAid models on our list, only with a smaller capacity and less weight. It has 10 speeds and comes with the standard set of a beater, dough hook, and whisk. It's compatible with most of KitchenAid's handy attachments, including the meat grinder, pasta maker, and spiralizer.

The Mini's beater blade has a flexible silicone edge to scrape the sides of the bowl, and we found that effective in thoroughly incorporating smaller batches of cookie dough quickly. It had no trouble in our whipped cream test, turning in one of the faster times. Meringue also whipped up almost effortlessly, except having to scrape the bowl once to incorporate sugar into the egg whites. Kneading dough, however, was not its strength. A one-loaf recipe was able to fit in the bowl (barely), but the low-power motor got very loud, and the whole machine started to bob up and down slightly as the gluten developed. This machine is best suited for the small-batch baker.

Almost too stunning to use, this KitchenAid Design Series stand mixer features a dark, forest green exterior, a 5-quart, walnut-wood bowl, and stainless steel attachments. It's a tilt-head model with a 500-watt motor that can handle anything an Artisan Series mixer can.

The Evergreen stand mixer, as KitchenAid dubs it, adequately whipped egg whites and sugar for pavlova. It performed mostly well during the cookie dough tests, wherein a small pocket of dry flour and mix-ins didn't make it into the dough. And we loved that the bread dough was easier to release from the wood bowl than from stainless steel bowls in our other tests. Overall, this mixer brings all of KitchenAid's functionality to your kitchen in the form of a head-turning art piece (if it fits your aesthetic).

As for cleaning and caring for the Evergreen mixer, the wood bowl — arguably the most eye-catching component — also proved to be the most troublesome part of the mixer. We found the lack of a handle made the bowl difficult to maneuver without cradling it with an entire arm, and the bowl was hard to grasp when hand washing. In addition, the wooden construction means you'll need mineral oil or cutting board cream to care for it over time. Given its complicated bowl design and high price tag, this mixer isn't the most efficient option for serious bakers. However, it fits perfectly in a stylish, lightly used home kitchen or with a home baker who doesn't mind the extra effort.

Our best overall mixer, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer was awarded perfect ratings across all our tests. The brand is known for its durable, versatile stand mixers, and this model is a sure bet for any level of baker looking for a quality build with a classic look. Although it's incompatible with attachments, we also loved the Bakery Chef by Breville as a trusty, powerful, and quiet stand mixer option.

Across two testing rounds, we've chosen a total of 25 stand mixers to try out side-by-side in our lab. We made notes on general design, size, and setup, and put them through a trio of real-world tests.

After completing the above observations in each round, we revealed the retail prices of the mixers to consider value. At the time of testing, the models ranged from $40 to $1,000, with an average of $357.

The "standard" bowl size for stand mixers is about 5 quarts. That's plenty of room to knead a full loaf of bread or mix a double-recipe of most cookies. To save on space and cost, there are mini models as small as 3 quarts, but these can be overwhelmed by even a single large batch of dough. For the high-volume baker, you can size up to a 7- or 8-quart mixer. Of course, these cost more, and they may not be able to fully combine small batches. A few mixers include two bowls of different sizes, effectively giving them two different capacities at once.

Power and stability are good benchmarks for determining a stand mixer's comprehensive strength. Stand mixers in our tests ranged from 250-watt to 750-watt models — values demonstrating how well the motor can operate — but the wattage means nothing if the mixer wobbles across the countertop. Weight distribution plays a huge role in keeping your stand mixer stable. If the head of the mixer is too heavy, the base may begin to shake uncomfortably. If the entire unit is too heavy, the mixer may not be a great fit for people who move their mixers to storage after use.

Essentially every stand mixer comes with three attachments: a whisk, a dough hook, and a paddle. These can cover pretty much every use, but some models offer additional specialty tools. One that we found especially helpful in testing was a paddle with flexible silicone or rubber edges. This scrapes the full interior of the bowl to make sure nothing sticks or fails to mix.

In addition to the included attachments, most mixers have a slot for connecting additional accessories. This can include almost anything, like a meat grinder, ice cream maker, or full-on blender. The attachments cost extra but add lots of versatility. Before you buy one, though, make sure it's compatible with your specific model of mixer.

As essential as they feel as kitchen products for home cooks, stand mixers are notorious for being countertop hogs. Their motors are heavy, and their bowls and bases often occupy a lot of space. Weight is not a bad thing in this case. The lighter mixers we tested jumped all over the counter, while heftier ones remained stable even at high speed. The fact is that a stand mixer is most likely going to have to live on your countertop. Consider it a badge of honor marking your kitchen as home to an accomplished cook.

A hand mixer is an amazing alternative if you are looking for a more portable option that can be tucked away in a cabinet. Compared to a stand mixer, it's not quite as powerful but can be used in any bowl you like.

A stand mixer is great for sweet and savory recipes, and not just baked goods. It automates every kind of mixing, whether that's beating eggs, whipping cream, or stirring together craft projects like slime. You can even use the stand mixer to shred cooked meat. When it comes to kneading bread dough, the stand mixer saves tons of effort over hand-kneading, and its steady speed and power give you consistent results every time. It's a timeless kitchen item you'll find plenty of use for, the more you use it.

There are two main layout options for a stand mixer: A tilt-head mixer has its motor in a hinged top that lowers into a fixed bowl, and a bowl-lift mixer has a fixed motor with a bowl that raises and lowers beneath it. The bowl-lift style is more common in large-capacity mixers as it's less top-heavy and more stable.

There are also some unique models of stand mixers you may not come across on shelves. The Swedish-designed Ankarsrum stand mixer uses a centered motor with two rotating whisk attachments. There's even an array of spiral mixer models across brands that rotate the bowl instead of or in conjunction with the beaters.

You can also find mixers in every color under the rainbow. Some brands even release limited-edition colors and patterns in collaboration with chefs and artists.

A quality stand mixer is an investment, but with proper care, you can expect it to last for at least 10 years. The key to keeping your mixer going is to not overtax the motor. If you hear it straining or feel it getting hot, turn down the speed, cut your recipe in half, or just shut it off and let it cool down for a few minutes between mixing sessions.

The parts of a mixer that are more likely to wear out sooner are also the most replaceable. Many brands sell individual dough hooks, whisks, paddles, and bowls that are far cheaper than buying a whole new machine.

KitchenAid is the most famous name in stand mixers, and we weren't surprised to find three of its models at the top of our results. The motors and controls of all KitchenAid mixers work in largely the same way, but there a multiple formats and sizes. The Artisan series is comprised of KitchenAid's tilt-head mixers, the classic design that you probably picture when you hear the brand name. The KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Series is the standard version, while the KitchenAid Artisan Mini is its 3.5-quart little brother. KitchenAid's larger-capacity mixers use a bowl-lift mechanism. These come in three different sizes: 5.5 quarts, 7 quarts, and an 8-quart commercial model.

These models are all available in many colors, but different retailers have different sets of colors in stock. If you're looking for something beyond the easy-to-find black, white, and red, try checking multiple sites.

Smeg Stand Mixer ($540 at Amazon)

The stylish Smeg was able to handle all of our tests with few issues. It's a beautiful and effective machine. We took away points, though, for the high-pitched whine its motor made at every speed, and for its comparatively high price.

Kenwood Chef 5-Quart Titanium Kitchen Machine ($450 at Amazon)

At a discounted price, the Kenwood stand mixer is a steal, and it works well for kitchens with low-clearance storage. However, we found that its performance was nothing to write home about compared to other models in our tests, and bowl visibility was lacking.

Wolf Gourmet 7-Quart High-Performance Stand Mixer ($800 at Williams Sonoma)

This professional-style mixer by Wolf Gourmet offers a big bowl, infinitely variable speeds, and quiet operation. Unfortunately, the bowl cannot be removed while attachments are in place, it struggled to reach the walls of the bowl, and it's wildly expensive.

GE Tilt-Head Electric Stand Mixer ($300 at Amazon)

GE's take on the classic stand mixer is fairly inexpensive and powerful enough for most kinds of everyday baking. It's a basic machine at a basic price. We only ran into two minor issues in testing: It sprayed out some messy flour onto the base while making bread, and its 10-minute automatic shutoff doesn't allow enough time for full kneading in a single session.

Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer ($250 at Amazon)

Another value-priced and functional mixer, the Cuisinart did quite well with whipped cream and cookie dough. But when it ran for a longer time while kneading bread dough, the motor became worryingly hot and loud.

v shape mixer The main problem with machines that finished toward the bottom of our tests was lack of power. Their motors struggled with tough doughs and made the unstable machines jump and jiggle all over the counter. We found that it's not worth cheaping out on a stand mixer: None of the models that retail for less than $200 wound up in the top half of the rankings.

The 6 Best Stand Mixers, Tested &amp; Reviewed

The 6 Best Stand Mixers, Tested & Reviewed