The 10 Best Mixing Bowls No Kitchen Should Be Without

MyRecipes
·7 min read

Any true chef or baker, whether a pro or amateur, knows the importance of finding the best mixing bowl. Scrap that—anyone who spends time at all in the kitchen, no matter how fleetingly, can appreciate the value of a good mixing bowl. These versatile kitchen must-haves make an appearance on a daily basis, whether you’re baking a cake, tossing a salad, mixing granola, or whisking eggs for an omelet. It’s important to find bowls that will last the wear and tear of daily use, even if their sole purpose is to hold potato chips while you watch Netflix. But with so many versions on the market, which mixing bowls can withstand the test of time and daily rendezvous with the dishwasher?

We’ve rounded up 10 of the best mixing bowls everyone should own, according to reviews:

What’s the best mixing bowl material?

Mixing bowls come in an array of materials, from plastic and melamine to glass, copper, enamel, stoneware, and the incredibly popular stainless steel. So the best mixing bowl for you depends on your specific needs.

Stainless steel mixing bowls are notoriously durable and won’t break if they’re accidentally dropped, but they can’t go in the microwave or oven—unless specifically stated—like glass or stoneware can. Real copper mixing bowls, although expensive and high-maintenance, are the preferred choice for top chefs thanks to copper’s chemical reaction to ingredients (such as egg whites or whipping cream) that takes cooking to the next level. If one of your favorite ways to spend time with the kids is to bake a yummy batch of cookies together, then a plastic mixing bowl is probably the best way to go, as buttery little fingers don’t pair too well with Pyrex.

How much do the best mixing bowls cost?

Although cheap mixing bowls are readily available everywhere and even at your local supermarket for as low as just a couple of bucks, you can’t expect to get much use out of them. For a few dollars extra, you can buy a durable mixing bowl, like the Good Grips 5-quart version, that won’t break or dent at the slightest impact.

Good mixing bowls can cost anywhere from around $15 to $50, with high-end versions reaching the $100 to $200 mark. And, if you really feel like going all out, the beautiful hammered copper mixing bowl set from Sertodo will set you back a cool $339.

Below, read more about the best mixing bowls for all budgets, styles, and needs, for you to choose from.

Best-Rated: FineDine Mixing Bowls

Amazon
Amazon

These economical FineDine classic nesting bowls are the number one best-selling mixing bowls on Amazon, with over 7,700 five-star reviewers singing their praises. Each set contains six bowls ranging in size from ¾ quart to 8 quarts, so there’s a bowl for pretty much every cooking or baking need. These dishwasher and freezer-safe bowls are made from stainless steel, and they’re incredibly lightweight yet durable. Shoppers also love that they nest easily inside each other, which is great for small kitchens. And at just over $4 per bowl, you can’t beat the price.

Buy it: Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (Set of 6), $24.99, amazon.com

Best Value: OXO Mixing Bowls

Amazon
Amazon

Here are a few reasons why this OXO bowl is one of Amazon’s top choices for best mixing bowl: It’s made from BPA-free, dishwasher-safe plastic; it has a comfortable and soft non-slip handle; it has a grippy bottom to keep it in place while you’re vigorously whisking, stirring, mixing, and beating; and it has a very rare 4.9-star customer rating. Once you try this 5-quart bowl, you’ll surely want it in other sizes too, and thankfully it’s available in 1.5 and 3-quart versions as well.

To buy: $12 (originally $15); amazon.com

Best Splurge: Sertodo Copper Mixing Bowls

Amazon
Amazon

Ever wonder why you can’t seem to get your meringue as good as the one you had at that gourmet restaurant that one time? Well, that’s clearly because you don’t have a copper mixing bowl, like the ones in this stunning Sertodo set of three. As top chefs will tell you, there’s a whole science behind it that makes the egg whites thicker and stiffer than ever. Based on the bowls used in the famous 100-year-old French omelet house, La Mère Poulard, these sturdy bowls are designed to whip up hundreds of eggs a day. Pavlova, anyone?

To buy: $339; amazon.com

Best Large Size: Update International Mixing Bowls

Amazon
Amazon

You said you needed a large mixing bowl, so we came through. Is 30 quarts big enough for you? Too big? Don’t worry, there are also 20-quart and 16-quart versions of this stainless-steel mixing bowl available. One customer explained, “It’s easy to clean, but remember, you have to have a large sink for its size. It’s made well…It’s not heavy, but it’s not a cheap metal either. If you want a very large bowl, then I highly recommend this one.”

To buy: $33 (originally $37); amazon.com

Best Compact Size: Martha Stewart Collection Mixing Bowls

Macy's
Macy's

For a set of mixing bowls that won’t take up a whole kitchen cupboard, these Martha Stewart pastel-colored bowls neatly pack into one another, like Russian dolls, utilizing minimal space. The set includes eight melamine bowls ranging in size from 1.5 to 6 quarts and can be used for a multitude of tasks. “I use these to mix my batter and also to store cookies and other treats,” wrote another Macy’s shopper. “They nest within each other when not being used, so I've been able to not 'lose' the lids so far. The colors are gorgeous. The lids fit very well but are not difficult to open.”

Buy it: $24.99 (originally $50); macys.com

Best for Batter: Le Creuset Mixing Bowl

Sur la Table
Sur la Table

To avoid the inevitable mess when transferring runny batter to a pan—for instance, when making pancakes, souffle, or Yorkshire pudding—a batter bowl with a spout can save a lot of time and hassle. This beautiful 2-quart stoneware bowl from Le Creuset, available in red or white, has a convenient handle for safe and easy handling. Plus, it’s dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe and ovenproof up to 450 degrees.

To buy: $52, surlatable.com

Best Glass: Pyrex Mixing Bowls

Amazon
Amazon

Pyrex has been a household kitchenware brand for over 100 years, and basically every homemaker owns at least a couple of pieces. With easy nesting storability, these Pyrex mixing bowls are a must for anyone who likes to cook. (These bowls are dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe.) The trio has over 7,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and costs under $20, which is a bargain if we ever saw one.

To buy: $19; amazon.com

Best Stainless Steel: Cuisinart Mixing Bowls

Amazon
Amazon

Amazon’s choice for best stainless-steel mixing bowls, these high-quality Cuisinart bowls can double up as containers for safely storing food in the fridge or freezer thanks to their tight-fitting lids. “I like the sturdiness of these bowls,” one happy shopper wrote. “They really stand up to the rigors of daily use…Truly the last set of mixing bowls that you'll ever need!”

To buy: $35 (originally $64); amazon.com

Best Stoneware: Noritake Mixing Bowls

Bed Bath & Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond

For fans of the more traditional, these glazed stoneware mixing bowls are too pretty to keep stored away in a cupboard. You’ll be getting so much use out of them anyway, they’re better off at easy reach—and display—on a counter. Bed Bath & Beyond shoppers love their ultra-classic design, which is perfect for mixing, serving, and presentation. You can purchase each set of three in 14 colors, including raspberry, terracotta, and plum.

Buy it: $95; bedbathandbeyond.com

Best with Handles: All-Clad Mixing Bowls

Williams-Sonoma
Williams-Sonoma

We’ll let the reputation of these superior All-Clad stainless-steel mixing bowls speak for itself. It’s such a popular item that it’s sold out on other retailers, including Sur La Table, where some shoppers have left reviews claiming they’ve owned their sets for years. The mixing bowls also feature handles for a firmer grip when you’re whipping cream or mixing batters.

To buy: $100; williams-sonoma.com