These Stand Mixers Will Take You from Amateur Baker to Pastry Pro in No Time

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If you follow baking recipes to a T but still have trouble whipping up results that resemble the picture in your cookbook, it may be your tools—not your skills!—that are letting you down. Stand mixers can turn ho-hum cookies that take hours to mix into quick bake-sale-worthy creations.

Whether you’re an amateur baker or you just like whipping up desserts for special occasions, a stand mixer is a useful tool to have in your kitchen. Compared to the less-expensive hand mixer or blender, a stand mixer is more powerful, can tackle larger batches and heavier doughs (like your favorite bread), and keeps your hands free to multitask while it does all the work.

Today’s stand mixers are also aesthetically pleasing both in terms of design and colors, so you’ll want to make space on your counter to show yours off (especially because these appliances tend to be quite large). They also come in a wide range of price points—our list includes models from $50 up to $700—but if you’re serious about your mixing, rest assured a good stand mixer is a worthwhile investment. Most stand mixers last decades, making them one of the longest-lasting countertop appliances out there.

For more great baking gear, check out our top picks for smart ovens and toaster ovens.

The Best Stand Mixers

What to Consider

Stand mixers don’t come cheap. They’re built to last, and with expense and longevity in mind, you should think carefully about the mixer’s size, power, and suite of accessories before you invest.

Storage and Sturdiness

Since stand mixers aren’t portable, be sure to keep weight and size in mind, especially if you intend on keeping it on your counter. If you’re planning to stow the mixer away when it’s not in use, remember that you’ll have to lift it onto the counter—and many of our top recommendations take up an entire cabinet, so plan for the storage space.

The heavier the mixer, the sturdier it typically is. Some of the options on our list weigh as much as 31 pounds, while others weigh as little as six pounds. If you make more bread dough than Bundt cakes, go for something with some heft so the mixer stays stable while it churns away.

Power

Most stand mixers use engines anywhere 300 to 500 watts, which is more than enough power to beat batters and whip egg whites. Some models have a motor with up to 1.3 horsepower (or about 1,000 watts), which is better for double batches and heavier, thicker doughs.

You’ll also see the number of speeds in the mixer’s list of specs. High-end models usually have 10 to 12 speed settings; budget models have five or six. Some stand mixers offer a slow-start feature, which gradually speeds up as you add ingredients so you don’t end up with flour on your floor or melted butter on your wall.

Capacity

Most of the stand mixers on our list have a bowl capacity of five quarts or more, which is generally large enough for most basic baking needs. If you frequently double your recipes or make dense doughs, you may find that a seven-quart bowl is a better choice.

Anything in the three- to four-quart range will limit how much you can mix at once, so consider your needs—and your kitchen space—before going that small. Keep in mind, too, that some brands sell extra bowls separately for whipping up multiple recipes at once, like during Christmas cookie season.

Tilt-Head Versus Bowl-Lift

When it comes to accessing the bowl itself, there are two types of stand mixers: tilt-head and bowl-lift. Tilt-head stand mixers sit on a hinge to tilt the bowl back and out of the way of the mixing apparatus to remove batter, add eggs, or whatever else you need to do. Tilt-head mixers are generally lighter, more compact, and less expensive than the alternative, making them the more popular choice for recreational bakers.

Bowl-lift stand mixers have a raising and lowering mechanism that keeps the head stationary while you move the bowl out of the way, making them more powerful and stable than tilt-heads, on average. This stationary nature also makes them more expensive, but it’s worth the expense for frequent big batches and heavy-duty baking.

Both types of stand mixers let you access the bowl while the mixer is mixing, but only the tilt-head type lets you switch out attachments without removing the bowl altogether.

Accessories and Attachments

Every stand mixer comes with three key attachments: a paddle or flat-edge beater, a wire whisk, and a dough hook (but not every stand mixer has the power to put a dough hook through its paces). If you plan to use your mixer to make dough, especially if you do it often, invest in a mixer with a powerful motor and a large-capacity bowl.

Some mixers, such as the KitchenAid models on our list, can accommodate additional accessories for grating cheese, making fresh pasta, or even pureeing fruit.

How We Selected

To find the best options among the many stand mixers out there, we relied on Popular Mechanics’ decades of experience testing and evaluating kitchen appliances. We took into account the wattage, size, versatility, appearance, and cost of each model. We made sure to recommend a range of high-quality options for both hobbyists and budding bakers, so no matter your experience level or kitchen size, you can find the best stand mixer for you.

Stand Mixer Pro

If you want a more tech-friendly stand mixer, this design from Instant Pot is the one for you. The digital timer allows you to set your mixing time, and you can choose from ten different speed settings. The mixer will stop once the timer hits zero, so you won't over-mix your batter or dough.

The stand mixer comes fully equipped with a stainless steel mixing bowl, a mixing paddle, a whisk, a dough hook, and a removable splash guard. The 600-watt motor can take on the toughest of mixing jobs, and the power hub has the capacity to support other optional attachments like a pasta press.

With your purchase, you get free access to the Instant Brands Connect App, where you can discover new recipes with guided step-by-step instructions. For a price that rivals the most popular options on the market, this is an excellent stand mixer.

ReadyPrep 4.75-Quart Retro Stand Mixer

While Frigidaire might come to mind for affordable refrigerators and nugget ice machines, the brand also produces sturdy and reliable kitchen appliances. Take this stand mixer, for example, which clocks in several hundred dollars less than our best overall pick.

The five-quart bowl is made with durable stainless steel, which is anti-corrosive and built to last. There is a splash guard for the bowl that prevents spillage and overflow, and there are anti-slip silicone suction cups on the base to help keep the mixer in place and reduce vibration.

There are eight different mixing speeds that you can control independently, and a pulse function if you just need a little extra knead or blend. With a 300-watt motor, this option isn’t the most powerful one we recommend, but several customer reviews say it still works great for bread dough.

Several colors are available so you can best match your kitchen aesthetic.

SM-50 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer

If you want a top-performing stand mixer at a more affordable price, take a look at this Cuisinart. This Cuisinart model is a bit more affordable than the famous KitchenAid stand mixer and still comes in a wide array of colors.

It has a tilt-head design and sturdy build as well as a powerful 500-watt motor that can stand up to dense doughs. Accessories include a whisk, dough hook, flat mixing paddles, and a splash guard with a pouring spout—all of which are covered under a three-year warranty.

Some reviewers noted that some of the attachments didn’t quite reach the bottom of the bowl, so you will want to make sure that all of your ingredients are getting mixed before you pour into a baking tin.

6-Speed Stand Mixer

This Costway stand mixer costs way less than you’d expect. You get a ton of primo upgrades: 660 watts worth of power, six speeds, a beater, a whisk, a splash guard, and a dough hook.

The six-speed control with pulse function allows you to whip up everything from ethereal meringues to heavy artisanal breads. The large capacity bowl means you can make mega-batches of cookies in one go, and the tilt-head design means you can easily add ingredients on the fly.

More than 80% of users give this stand mixer 5 out of 5 stars. Reviewers write that it is “absolutely spectacular,” and an “amazing value” with “great power.”

7-Quart Stand Mixer

This KitchenAid costs a pretty penny, but it delivers incredible power and efficiency. The priciest stand mixer on our list, this KitchenAid model has a massive seven-quart bowl ideal for larger batches. It has all metal fixtures and gears, too — unlike cheaper models that often use plastic — which makes it particularly strong and sturdy. Plus, the 1.3-horsepower motor is incredibly powerful and handles dense dough with ease.

For even more stability while mixing large batches, the side lever can lift the arms and the bowl into position for better mixing coverage.

If you don’t plan on baking in large batches, you would be fine with a smaller model, but if you have the cash to spend and are a prolific baker, this mixer will not disappoint.

6-Speed Stand Mixer

If you care more about the quality of your cookies than fancy brand names (and you don’t mind making a few batches), this Hamilton Beach stand mixer is probably right up your alley.

Most of us don’t need the fanciest mixer on the market, but rather something that is slightly more powerful—and enduring—than your own arms. For around $100, this Hamilton Beach mixer takes the elbow grease out of casual baking.

It is on the smaller side, with only a 3.5-quart bowl, but is large enough to make a cake, a loaf of bread, or a batch of cookies. There are six speeds to choose from, and a special fold setting that allows you to add in ingredients without over-mixing. It has nonslip feet to keep it from moving while mixing, and comes with the three typical attachments—a paddle, dough hook, and whisk.

The main complaint about this model is that the bowl doesn’t have a handle, which may or may not be a deal-breaker for you.

Classic Stand and Hand Mixer

If you want a versatile mixer without a huge financial outlay, this bargain-priced Hamilton Beach model beckons. Even more budget-friendly, this mixer functions on the stand and detaches so you can use it in hand, making it a great choice for small spaces and tight budgets.

It can’t handle super heavy-duty baking projects in stand mixer mode, but it does come with dough hooks, a whisk, and flat beaters, so you can make a variety of baked goods. Plus, the lever on the front of the base moves the bowl from side to side to help you get a more even blend of ingredients.

Some customers noticed that they had to scrape the bowl a bit more frequently than with other mixers, but overall found the beaters mixed batters with ease. All of the attachments are dishwasher-safe, which makes for easy cleanup.

Classic Series Stand Mixer

KitchenAid is a legendary name in the stand mixer game, and this classic model is the one that started it all. It’s most famous for its numerous touch points that make sure you get every bit of ingredient mixed into your dough or batter.

You can mix up to eight dozen cookies in one batch, plus the tilt-head design is a bonus for adding ingredients on the fly. It also has 10 speeds for a range of recipes and tasks.

This model comes with a coated flat beater, a coated dough hook, and a six-wire whip. More than 10 attachments are available separately, so you can make fresh pasta, veggie noodles, ice cream, and more with this KitchenAid.

Artisan Mini Plus Mixer

If you want a powerhouse stand mixer in a small package, step right up. This KitchenAid is built like a pro-level stand mix, with supremely smooth results, high durability, and a sturdy metal construction.

The 3.5-quart bowl is made to mix up to five dozen cookies in one batch and is dishwasher-safe. The 10 speeds make for fantastic flexibility and power across multiple types of recipes and ingredients.

Plus, there are more than 10 attachments from KitchenAid’s suite of attachments to choose from, including a pasta maker and ice cream maker.

5-Quart Stand Mixer

This KitchenAid is a favorite on wedding registries for a reason — it is as much an interior design decoration as it is a workhorse. It comes in just about every color imaginable and can handle everything from kneading bread to whipping cream. It comes with a 5-quart stainless steel bowl, a flat beater, a dough hook, and a wire whip, and has 10 speed settings. It also has a “slow start” feature, which lets you mix in flour or milk without the threat of it coating you and your kitchen.

If the mixer will be staying on your counter since you don't have the storage space, you can select from 22 colors like Ice Blue and Kyoto Glow to best match your kitchen decor.

More than 91% of reviewers on Amazon give this stand mixer 5 out of 5 stars, praising its “speed,” “effectiveness” and “sturdiness.”

More: The Best Bread Makers of 2022

1950s Retro-Style Aesthetic Stand Mixer

This pink number whips up fluffy cupcakes and ethereal frosting, sure, but it’s just as much about the eye candy as the sweets.

Another retro looker from Italian home appliance manufacturer Smeg, this stunning stand mixer comes in seven colors and features a powerful 500-watt motor and a five-quart bowl. You get the three usual attachments—paddle, whisk, and dough hook—but other accessories are available to purchase, such as a grinder, a pasta cutter, and even an ice cream maker.

6-Speed Food Mixer

This compact stand mixer is an ideal option for anyone who wants a starter stand mixer at a great price. The small footprint and (relatively) light weight make it a stellar option for people who want to use a mixer on the go.

The 3.2-quart capacity makes it small for big families who want to bake big batches of cookies, but if you live on your own or don’t mind making two batches, this mixer is a win. It comes with six speeds and a tilt-head design, which allows you to add ingredients as you go. The mixer comes with a dough hook, beater, and whisk.

Reviewers love how “practical” this mixer is, with others saying they love how “super cute” and “super powerful” it is.

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