Our 6 Favorite Stand Mixers After Years of Whipping, Kneading, and Baking
These mixers turned out great cookies, cakes, bread, and more.
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Stand mixers can make tasks like kneading bread dough and whipping cream much easier. And they can be useful for more than just baking: Some models have attachments you can purchase separately for grinding meat, rolling out pasta, spiralizing vegetables, juicing, and more, giving more payoff to the cost and space required.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer
- Best Value: Cuisinart SM-50TQ Stand Mixer
- Best For Beginners: Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer
- Best Smart GE 7-Quart Smart Mixer with Auto Sense
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen and Cooking Lab, we use stand mixers year-round and have multiple experts who test them. In addition to our official testing in the Lab, all of our pros use stand mixers at home. I, personally, have two stand mixers at home: one that has been my go-to and a new one that I'm testing.
I also test hand mixers and other baking-related kitchen gadgets throughout the year. For our most recent round of stand mixer testing, I whipped egg whites and heavy cream, and I baked cakes, cookies, and bread to evaluate the ease of use and performance of each one.
Best Deal
Pros
- Strong performance in Lab tests
- Built-in bowl light
- New 1/2 speed and Slow Start setting for incorporating ingredients with less mess
Cons
- Head can become unlocked with mixing stiff doughs
Capacity: 5 qt | Power: 350 watts | Weight: 26 lbs | Dimensions: 8 3/4" x 14" x 14" | Speeds: 11 | Attachments: Flat beater, double flex-edge beater, dough hook, wire whip, pouring shield | Type of mixer: Tilt-head
KitchenAid has been making appliances since 1919. The Artisan Plus, released this year, marks the first time the brand has updated its iconic stand mixer since 1955.
The Artisan Plus model, which is replacing the previous Artisan Design Series as our top pick, includes great tools: flat beater, double flex-edge beater, dough hook, wire whip, pouring shield. And you can purchase a variety of unique compatible accessories like a pasta maker, spiralizer, or juicer, which make use of the mixer's motor.
The Artisan Plus is more powerful than the previous Artisan model (350 vs 250 watts). But the real news here is the list of new features: This version has an integrated bowl light, which allows KitchenAid to offer a feature common on many new high-end models on the market. It also has 11 preset speeds, including a new 1/2 speed so you don't cause a plume of flour when you start beating. Or you can opt for the new Soft Start setting, which gradually increases the speed for smooth incorporation. Kitchen Appliances Lab Reviews Analyst Eva Bleyer reported that she found she didn’t need the pouring shield during mixing since the gentle start reduced splattering.
The 26-pound Artisan Plus model is available in 14 colors, like Juniper, Iron Ore Bronze, or the rich Sun Dried Tomato Red (shown here), which come in satin, metallic, and crinkle finishes, respectively.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This model scored well in our tests, and it aced our cookie dough test, easily tackling dense oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (in fact, in a blind taste test, people preferred the cookie mixed in the KitchenAid over the ones from two other machines). It also quickly produced fluffy whipped cream.
TAKE NOTE: The finished bread had good height and texture, but the head lock can come undone when mixing stiff doughs.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: I Tried KitchenAid’s New Artisan Plus Stand Mixer—Here’s What Actually Matters
Pros
- 12 speed settings to dial in exact mixing needs
- Impressive performance
- Can purchase other attachments for pasta, ice cream, and more
Cons
- Head may move with stiff bread dough
Capacity: 5.5 qt | Power: 500 watts | Weight: 23 lbs | Dimensions: 12.75" x 20" x 17.5" | Speeds: 12 | Attachments: Flat beater, dough hook, chef's whisk, and splash guard with pour spout | Type of mixer: Tilt-head
This model is a budget-friendly alternative to our top pick. It features 12 speed settings, allowing you to dial to the exact speed you need for whatever you're making. The lowest setting is very gentle, so your dry ingredients won't spew everywhere; the highest setting is good for cranking out airy whipped cream. The bowl attaches to the base effortlessly, and the attachments are easy to add and remove.
Several attachments for this stand mixer can be purchased separately, including a pasta roller and cutter, spiralizer, and ice cream maker. (We especially like using ice cream attachments on stand mixers because you can increase the speed to make a fluffier ice cream.) Plus, this mixer comes in many different cool colors.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: The whisk whipped excellent fluffy egg whites and cream that didn’t seep. The flat beater attachment handled a monster cookie recipe very well. This mixer is one of the lighter ones in our tests at 23 pounds, so it's easier to move for storage if needed.
TAKE NOTE: While the mixer did tackle a multigrain bread dough, we noted that the head can move when kneading stiff doughs.
Pros
- High scores for kneading and whipping
- Easy to lift with a top handle
- Suctions to countertop for sturdy performance
Cons
- Had some issues with splattering in our tests
Capacity: 4 qt | Power: 300 watts | Weight: 9.39 lbs | Dimensions: 10.4" x 15.55" x 16.3" | Speeds: 7 | Attachments: Flat beater, dough hook, whisk and splash guard | Type of mixer: Tilt-head
Beginner bakers will appreciate that this Hamilton Beach model was among the most affordable we tested and earned a high score in nearly every one of our evaluations.
It weighs just under 10 pounds and has a large handle on top, so it's easy to lift and to move for storage. The dial on the side rotates to seven different speeds, so you'll have enough control to avoid over- and under-mixing batters, doughs, and frosting. The mixer also suctions to your countertop so it'll stay in place while mixing. All attachments are dishwasher-safe.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: Our Lab pros were impressed with this model's ability to whip delicate egg whites into stiff peaks and to quickly (and evenly) knead bread dough.
TAKE NOTE: It splatters a bit, but it comes with a splash guard.
Pros
- One of the best we've tested for making bread dough
- The dough doesn’t stick to the hook and is kneaded evenly
- Can handle bigger batches of dough
Cons
- Large footprint
- May not handle small batches well
Capacity: 7 qt | Power: 650 watts | Weight: 32 lbs | Dimensions: 13.5" x 9.9" x 17.2" | Speeds: 58 | Attachments: Flexible beater, spiral dough hook, whisk, and splash guard | Type of mixer: Spiral
The Ooni Halo Pro Spiral stand mixer is a relative newcomer. Ooni’s Karu 2 is our top pizza oven, so it's no surprise that we were impressed with the brand’s stand mixer during testing.
The rotating knob allows you to adjust up to 58 speeds with a digital control panel and a built-in light. Sarah Gregory, deputy editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute, says, "The built-in light helped me see how the mix was progressing, which made me feel very in control of the batter or dough." It has a tilt head similar to other stand mixers, but what sets it apart is that the both the mixing attachment and the bowl rotate. A flexible beater, which is stainless steel covered with silicone, helps ensure the edges of the bowl are scraped while mixing.
The extra-large mixing bowl is great for those who make bigger batches of dough (it holds up to 11 pounds of yeast dough, according to the brand). "This is the perfect tool for people who take their sourdough or pizza seriously at home. It holds a lot of dough with ease. All pieces clean up nicely in the dishwasher as well. The built-in timer is amazing: You can set it and forget it," says Eva Bleyer, Kitchen & Cooking Lab reviews analyst.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: I was stunned by how well this stand mixer kneaded bread dough. When making our standard bread loaf, the dough was evenly kneaded and didn't stick to the dough hook. Thanks to the removable breaker bar attachment—which hangs from the head and sits in front of the dough hook—you don't have to stop the machine to remove or adjust the dough. After baking, the bread had a noticeably higher rise than others, with an airy texture and good crumb. This mixer also performed well in all our other tests, whipping up voluminous whipped cream and excellent cookies.
TAKE NOTE: Due to the larger bowl, smaller batches may require extra scraping to incorporate everything well. Also, the machine is on the larger side, but serious bread and pizza makers won't regret it.
Pros
- The stainless steel bowl has a large 7.4-quart capacity
- Easy to add ingredients into the open bowl
- Whips cream and eggs very fast
Cons
- Some parts are not dishwasher-safe
- Learning curve to set up dough accessories
Capacity: 7.4 qt (stainless steel bowl), 3.7 qt (plastic bowl) | Power: 600 watts | Weight: 28.2 lbs | Dimensions: 18.1" x 12.9" x 17.3" | Speeds: Continuous dial (45-180 rotations per minute) | Attachments: Dough roller, dough hook, dough knife, scraper, balloon whisks, cookie whisks, and lid | Type of mixer: Dual whisk/rotating bowl
Serious bakers will appreciate this stand mixer from Swedish brand Ankarsrum. It comes with a ton of accessories, including a dough roller, hook, knife, scraper, balloon whisks, cookie whisks, and a lid that can be used to proof dough or act as a splashguard. Plus, it includes a 3.7-quart plastic whisking bowl and a large 7.4-quart capacity stainless steel bowl, one of the largest in our tests. At 28.2 pounds, it has good heft, so it's not moving around on the counter.
The setup of this stand mixer is different from others, with the motor in the base, so most of the weight is on the bottom. Since it rotates from the center of the bowl, there is no tilt-head to maneuver around as you're pouring ingredients. As a messy baker, I loved how easily I could add ingredients into the open bowl without spilling. I found the stainless steel bowl and dough accessories easy to use once I learned how to set them up. Gregory noted that the tool arm had a level of tension that required a learning curve, but that tension made the design feel very sturdy for denser doughs.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This mixer earned top scores across nearly every category. It combined cake batter smoothly and handled dense oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough with ease, producing tender yet crisp cookies with evenly distributed chips. I found that setup required a quick look at the manual, but once assembled, the mixer was straightforward. The use of two whisks suspended from a single attachment helped to whip cream quickly and uniformly. The machine is very powerful, so it's easy to over-whip delicate foods like cream or egg whites if you don't keep a close eye. Speed adjustment works slightly differently from other models as well, with a continuous speed dial (rather than pre-set options), which we found easy to use.
TAKE NOTE: I loved using this machine, but my small complaint is that some of the included pieces are hand-wash only (though some are dishwasher-safe).
Pros
- Connects to GE app so you can control mixer from afar
- 7-quart capacity suits a variety of cooking projects
- App provides multiple recipes
Cons
- Scale is less precise than other kitchen scales
- Extremely heavy and can't be moved easily
Capacity: 7 qt | Power: 600 watts | Weight: 35 lbs | Dimensions: 11.33" x 14" x 17.07" | Speeds: 11 | Attachments: Whip, beater, dough hook, and pouring shield | Type of mixer: Bowl-lift
This appliance stood out for the smart skills that other models couldn't match. A built-in scale is available to weigh ingredients, plus the voice command setting provides hands-free operation, and auto-sense technology works with included recipes to keep an eye on how well ingredients are mixing. It's important to note that the scale only measures in 5-gram increments, so it is less precise than using a traditional scale.
The 7-quart capacity of the bowl can accommodate both small- and large-batch bakes. You can adjust up to 11 different speeds with a rotating dial on top of the mixer head, including a slow start function. It can connect to your phone via the GE SmartHQ app, allowing you to control it remotely. This lets you monitor and change the speed, set a timer, or receive a notification once each step in a recipe is completed.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: During testing, this model made tasty cookies, although the bowl needed scraping a few times while mixing. One of our staff members used the AutoSense Technique program to make butter and was impressed that it automatically stops when the butter is ready. The app connected quickly and efficiently, and the pairing technologies provided multiple recipes that are easy to follow through the application.
TAKE NOTE: This machine is much heavier than other stand mixers. It took two of us to lift the stand mixer, so you'll want to make sure you have counter space for it since it's not easily moved for storage. Also, the scale is not as precise as other kitchen scales.
How we test stand mixers
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab test a wide variety of kitchen products, including stand mixers. When testing stand mixers, our experts evaluate ease of use, like the simplicity of setting up, switch tools, and cleaning. We also put each product to the test with a roster of classic baking tasks:
✔️ Whipping egg whites and heavy cream to evaluate how quickly they reach stiff peaks. We also measure the volume of the whipped cream and egg whites to determine how well the mixer can incorporate air.
✔️ We also place the whipped cream and egg whites over a fine mesh screen to see if they remain stable or weep over time.
✔️ Kneading bread dough to test whether it mixes thoroughly without assistance and to see if the mixer can handle the heft of the dough. We also time how long kneading takes. We then bake two loaves, checking for even browning. Each loaf is cut in half to evaluate air holes and crumb, and we measure the rise.
✔️ Mixing cake batter and baking cakes to assess if the mixer can produce well-risen, level cakes that are evenly colored with a good texture and crumb. We also note the amount of scraping and splashing while mixing the batter.
✔️ Mixing oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough to test the ability to work with stiff dough and evenly combine the ingredients. We bake at least a dozen cookies to make sure the chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout. The best cookies are well-risen and crispy yet tender.
✔️ Taste testing each baked good to ensure ingredients are thoroughly mixed and score the overall taste and texture.
Types and styles of stand mixers
Stand mixers come in a few varieties, and understanding the difference will help you find the style that's right for you.
✔️ Tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixers: These are the most common types of stand mixers, where the mixing bowl is stationary and has a moving attachment.
• A tilt-head mixer has a hinged neck so that the head can tilt back, giving you better access to the bowl and letting you insert and remove the accessories more easily.
• A bowl-lift mixer has a fixed head, but the bowl sits on two arms that can be raised to meet the mixing attachment. These mixers can often support a large-capacity bowl and, therefore, are ideal for larger batches and heavier tasks.
Both of these types of mixers use what's called planetary mixing, where the bowl locks into place and the mixing attachment—such as paddle, whisk, or hook—rotates on its axis while also rotating around the bowl (just like our solar system's planets, hence the name).
✔️ Spiral stand mixers: Spiral mixers feature a rotating bowl paired with a spiral dough hook, making them ideal for bread and pizza dough. This type of mixer has traditionally been found in commercial kitchens, but Ooni’s home-friendly model includes multiple attachments for use beyond just bread.
✔️ Dual-whisk and rotating bowl stand mixers: These types of mixers house motors in the base rather than the head.
•Dual-whisk mixers feature a stationary bowl with two attachments, such as whisks, that rotate from the center.
• Rotating bowl mixers rely on a spinning bowl; however, the attachments are stationary. Both of these designs offer the advantage of an open bowl, which makes it easier to add ingredients and usually have a higher capacity than traditional stand mixers.
What to look for when buying a stand mixer
Finding the best stand mixer for your needs comes down to these main factors:
✔️ Capacity: This refers to the size of the work bowl. We like a 5-quart bowl as a baseline, but a larger bowl can give you more flexibility for batch size if you find that you’re always doubling your recipes to cook for a crowd. That said, if you bake for just one or two people or need the ability to whip just a few egg whites or a small portion of heavy cream, a smaller bowl is a better choice.
✔️ Wattage: This indicates the maximum power of the motor. The higher the watts listed for the motor, the greater the power. Think about what you like to bake most. Will you be using the stand mixer for sourdoughs and pizza crusts? If so, you'll want a motor that can tackle stiff or sticky doughs. Looser items, like cake batter, can turn out nicely even with a lower wattage.
✔️ Price: Some high-end mixers can cost more than $500 and may be worth it for some. A budget-friendly model is a steal, but other times you might find that the motor can’t handle heavy-duty tasks or won’t last as many years.
✔️ Size and weight: If you plan to leave your stand mixer on the counter, consider the width of your available space and the height of your cabinets when choosing your model. If you want to store your stand mixer in a cabinet or pantry, the weight will be an important factor, as you'll need to be able to lift and move the unit with each use.
✔️ Attachment and accessories: Most stand mixers come with a paddle attachment (for cookie doughs and cake batters), a whisk attachment (for meringues, marshmallows, and whipped cream), and a dough hook (for bread doughs). Some might also provide a paddle attachment with silicone edges that help you scrape the sides of the bowl as you mix. The most versatile machines include the option to buy additional attachments that let you use the stand mixer's motor for completely different tasks, like rolling pasta, juicing fruits and veggies, grinding meats, or peeling produce.
Are heavier stand mixers better?
While a heavier stand mixer can sometimes indicate a more powerful motor, that’s not always the case. Whether it’s better really depends on your needs. The extra weight can help keep the mixer stable when working with heavy, dense doughs. However, it also makes the appliance more challenging to move, which is not ideal for someone who needs to take the mixer in and out of storage.
How to clean and care for your stand mixer
To ensure that your mixer can stand the test of time, practice good clean-up and maintenance. Always follow the instruction manual for care, and contact the manufacturer for larger issues. But for day-to-day cleaning, we recommend:
✔️ For stray flour or dry goods, wipe the mixer with a dry cloth or use a dry pastry brush to sweep the mess from any crevices; this will prevent clumps and buildup (since introducing water can create a paste that will harden if not removed).
✔️ For wet messes like batter or liquid, wipe with a damp sponge or cloth right away to prevent sticking and staining. Then dry the mixer with a dry cloth.
✔️ Hand wash attachments and accessories and dry—or allow to air dry—thoroughly. While many stand mixer tools are dishwasher safe, hand washing will help prevent potential nicks, chips, and rusting, and it will help preserve the nonstick finish, where applicable.
✔️ Store the attachments in the bowl of the mixer, preferably in a tea towel to help prevent scratching.
What's the difference between a stand mixer and hand mixer?
Both hand and stand mixers are designed to whip or mix ingredients. The main difference is that a hand mixer requires you to move it in a bowl. Stand mixers make combining ingredients easier since they are hands-free. Hand mixers are smaller and less expensive, while stand mixers are bulkier and pricier.
Although you don't need a stand mixer, it offers several advantages. It eliminates the manual effort required for tasks like whipping cream or mixing thick cookie dough, whether using a hand mixer or by hand. Plus, you can set the speed and step away, freeing you up for other tasks while it does the work for you.
Many stand mixers come with attachments such as dough hooks that can knead bread for you. Additionally, various accessories can be purchased for tasks such as juicing, making ice cream, grinding meat, and more, making it a versatile kitchen tool.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with nearly two decades of experience in product testing, development and manufacturing. She has tested products and written many reviews across dozens of categories, including stand mixers, hand mixers, cake decorating tools, ice cream makers, and many more kitchen products. In addition to Lab testing, she has two stand mixers at home since she is an avid baker, and likes to test them to see how they'll perform with a variety of foods such as cake, cookies, bread, frosting, and more.
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