The 7 Best Stand Mixers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Whether you’re whipping cream or mixing cookie dough, these stand mixers will get the job done.
REAL SIMPLE / RUSSELL KILGORE
Fact checked by Rich Scherr
A stand mixer is a powerhouse kitchen appliance that allows you to whip up a variety of bakes with little to no effort. This convenience, though, comes with a pretty big price tag—although according to Anna Gordon, founder of New York City-based The Good Batch Bakery, this isn’t a bad thing. “If possible, I always try to invest a little more upfront in my equipment so I don’t have to replace or upgrade sooner than later. In other words, purchase a size you can grow into,” she says.
Another baker, recipe developer and cookbook author Erin McDowell, advises consumers to research the capabilities of a stand mixer before buying. “Some mixers are developed more for bread baking, for example, while others can't handle the motor use of long mixing times for something like, say, brioche.”
To help you figure out which stand mixers are worth the investment, we tested 22 of the most popular stand mixers, evaluating them on ease of cleaning, design, performance, size, features, and value. In addition to Gordon and McDowell, we also spoke to Paola Velez, pastry chef and co-founder of Bakers Against Racism, and Edan Leshnick, head pastry chef at Breads Bakery in New York City, for expert advice on shopping for stand mixers.
Best Overall Stand Mixer: Breville Bakery Chef Stand Mixer
What Stands Out
The beater has scrapers attached for easier cleanup.
What Could Be Improved
Its relatively small capacity may not be ideal for mixing large batches.
This Breville model performed quite well through all the baking tests we put it through, which included making whipping cream and mixing cookie dough as well as whole wheat dough bread. We were amazed by the stand mixer’s ability to whisk together heavy cream and sugar, and found the extra features, including the dough setting, to be a game changer. The beater was so effective at mixing our cookie dough ingredients that there was not a dry spot left on the bowl, which couldn’t be said for other beaters found in different stand mixers we tested.
The latter phenomenon can be attributed to this product’s unique beaters, which feature scrapers attached to either side. This allows for a fully incorporated mix and ensures an easier cleanup. Other excellent features of this stand mixer include an integrated timer, 12 intuitive settings (including one specifically for whipping), and a light attached to the edge of the mixer, which provides greater visibility when baking. It also comes with two mixing bowls, including one five-quart glass bowl and a four-quart stainless steel bowl. Considering its quality and many helpful features, we wouldn’t hesitate to purchase this for ourselves or recommend it to avid bakers.
Price at time of publish: $400
Attachments: Scraper beater, flat beater, dough hook, whisk | Wattage: 550 watts | Capacity: 5-quart glass bowl, 4-quart stainless steel bowl | Weight: Not listed | Speeds: 12
Best Budget Stand Mixer: Aucma 6.5-QT 660W 6-Speed Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
What Stands Out
This affordable stand mixer performs just as well as more expensive, advanced models.
What Could Be Improved
It is less suitable for mixing bread dough.
Finding an affordable stand mixer that also works well is no easy feat—but the Aucma Stand Mixer exceeds all expectations. In our testing, this lower-priced mixer performed the same functions just as well as more expensive models. This is especially noteworthy considering this stand mixer features fewer speed options (six total), meaning it can produce the same results as higher-priced stand mixers that have upwards of ten speed settings. This Aucma model also comes with a 6.5-quart mixing bowl and standard attachments including a flat beater, dough hook, and whisk.
We found that this stand mixer handles small to medium batches of bakes best. It performed great when mixing our whipped cream and cookie dough, though it came up short when mixing bread. This is where the lower price really starts to show—not only did the dough not properly knead, but the mixer also shook pretty harshly and blew flour out of the bowl while on its highest setting. The end result was a dough that was too wet and required a lot more kneading. Despite these drawbacks, we still think this stand mixer would be good for the average home cook and baker, so long as they stay away from big mixing jobs.
Price at time of publish: $157
Attachments: Dough hook, flat beater, whisk | Wattage: 660 watts | Capacity: 6.5 quarts | Weight: 12 pounds | Speeds: 6
Best Splurge Stand Mixer: Wolf Gourmet WGSM100S High-Performance Stand Mixer
What Stands Out
The bowl storage system’s deep opening allows you to take the bowl in and out without having to adjust the rest of the mixer.
What Could Be Improved
Its heavy weight and high volume are not ideal for small counter spaces.
Passionate bakers who don’t mind spending extra money to ensure the best results possible should consider splurging on this Wolf Gourmet stand mixer. Erin McDowell, recipe developer and cookbook author, told us that she owns this stand mixer and loves it, calling its quality “pro-level.” We found the Wolf Gourmet 7-Quart High-Performance Stand Mixer to effectively and efficiently mix not just bread dough, but also our cookie dough and whipped cream. In fact, out of all the stand mixers we tested, the Wolf was able to mix the cookie dough the quickest (taking only 30 seconds!).
What stands out about this stand mixer is its unique bowl storage system. Unlike other stand mixers that are tilt-head and bowl-lift in design, this Wolf model features a deep opening at the base of the stand mixer, allowing you to easily take the bowl in and out without having to adjust other parts of the machine. It can handle seven quarts worth of baking ingredients, has a convenient speed dial, and a splash guard attachment to minimize mess.
Price at time of publish: $1,000
Attachments: Flat beater, dough hook, whisk | Wattage: 500 watts | Capacity: 7 quarts | Weight: 36 pounds | Speeds: Variable
Best Compact Stand Mixer: Kenwood 5-Qt. Chef Kitchen Machine
What Stands Out
Though it’s compact, this mixer has a surprisingly powerful motor.
What Could Be Improved
It shakes and makes noise when making bread dough.
One of the biggest drawbacks with stand mixers is that they take up so much counter space. This can be a big problem for people who have small kitchens and need to get creative with storage. Measuring less than 12 inches in height, the Kenwood 5-Qt. Chef Kitchen Machine is smaller than your average stand mixer (the ever-popular KitchenAid Stand Mixer, in comparison, is more than 14 inches tall). This makes it not only easier to store under cabinets or on your countertop, but also gives you more room to lift up the part of the machine where you attach the included dough hook, whisk, flexi beater, and the brand’s signature “K-beater.”
In addition to its convenient compact design, this stand mixer also proved to be a kitchen workhorse. The 5-quart stainless steel bowl was big enough to handle our cookie and bread dough batches and managed to incorporate both recipes’ ingredients quite well. We were particularly impressed by how well the bread dough mixed; the dough gained a notable elasticity that required no additional hand-kneading, which is often the case with other stand mixers. The one downside, however, was that the machine got louder and shook while mixing the dough.
Price at time of publish: $560
Attachments: K-beater, flexi beater, dough hook, whisk | Wattage: 750 watts | Capacity: 5 quarts | Weight: 23 pounds | Speeds: Variable
Best Stand Mixer for Large Batches: KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
What Stands Out
It is suitable for mixing both small and large batches.
What Could Be Improved
You may have to manually knead bread dough after mixing it in the mixer.
All of the bakers we spoke to prefer to use KitchenAid stand mixers. “They have been around for a long time and they are kind of the gold standard,” says Edan Leshnick, head pastry chef at Breads Bakery. McDowell uses a KitchenAid to test recipes with. “When properly taken care of, it can last forever,” she says. After testing, we can certainly attest to its famed quality.
After trying out the KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer ourselves, we can confirm the rave reviews. It performed great throughout our many tests, impressing us with its ability to adequately mix ingredients as well as its ease of cleaning. This model particularly stands out for its large capacity, and is able to hold seven quarts of baking ingredients (many stand mixers usually hold between four to six quarts). This extra room is particularly convenient for people who work with large-batch bakes, including those who double recipes often. If you don’t fall under this category of baker, don’t worry—this mixer can handle both single and double batches with ease.
This KitchenAid model has ten speed settings and has a bowl-lift in design. Although there are plenty of pros with this machine, we think the dough hook’s performance could use some improvement. Our bread dough ended up coming out sticky, instead of the desired elastic-y texture, which means that it needed additional kneading by hand.
Price at time of publish: $650
Attachments: Flat beater, dough hook, whisk | Wattage: 969 watts | Capacity: 7 quarts | Weight: 32 pounds | Speeds: 10
Best Stand Mixer for Small Batches: KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
What Stands Out
The small size and low wattage is ideal for culinary beginners baking simple cakes and cookies.
What Could Be Improved
It may not be powerful enough to knead bread dough.
Those who are new to the world of stand mixers may benefit from starting out with a lower-capacity stand mixer. The KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer can hold 3.5 quarts of ingredients and comes with standard attachments, including a flat beater, dough hook, and six-wire whisk. Plus, since this is a KitchenAid product, you have a bevy of fun colors to choose from, including shades of red, baby blue, and a matte green.
We felt this Mini model was well-constructed and performed as advertised in our testing. The machine was able to accommodate and mix our whipped cream and cookie dough with no issues. However, the same cannot be said for our whole wheat bread dough. This can be attributed to the machine’s low wattage, which is 250 watts (a common wattage for hand mixers). Low wattage equals less power emitted, and since a lot of power is needed to knead dough, it’s not surprising that after nearly 14 minutes of mixing, we found our bread dough was not properly kneaded. If you are a bread baker, you’re better off getting something with more power.
Price at time of publish: $380
Attachments: Dough hook, flat beater, whisk | Wattage: 250 watts | Capacity: 3.5 quarts | Weight: 18 pounds | Speeds: 10
Real Simple / Russell Kilgore
Most Versatile Stand Mixer: Ankarsrum Original Kitchen Machine
Buy at Shop.kingarthurbaking.com
What Stands Out
You can use two attachments at once.
What Could Be improved
The uncommon attachments may be unnecessary for less experienced bakers seeking a more traditional mixer.
Able to effectively handle large and small batches, this Swedish-designed stand mixer is suitable for any mixing job. This stand mixer differs from others we tested in a variety of ways. First, it’s shorter (a little more than 14 inches tall) and lighter (19 pounds), making it a great option for people who would prefer to store their stand mixer in cabinets. Second, the motor is at the bottom of the machine, grounding the product so much so that it didn’t shake or move one bit during our testing. Third, you can use two different attachments at once. For example, you can use the dough scraper and dough roller together, which we found helped to form a more natural kneading action.
On top of the dough scraper and dough roller, the Ankarsrum comes with other uncommon attachments, including a double whisk attachment and double cookie beaters. You can fit seven quarts worth of ingredients in the mixing bowl and get 600 watts of power out of this machine. We found the power quite sufficient, as it was successful in mixing our light whipped cream as well as our heavy whole wheat dough.
Price at time of publish: $750
Attachments: Dough scraper, dough roller, double whisk, double cookie beaters, dough hook | Wattage: 600 watts | Capacity: 7 quarts | Weight: 19 pounds | Speeds: Variable
Final Verdict
Overall, we recommend the Breville Bakery Chef Stand Mixer for its ability to effectively mix a range of recipes, from light whipped cream to heavy whole wheat dough. We also loved its variety of features, including 12 speed settings, a timer, two different sized mixing bowls, the scrapers located on the beater, and the light at the top of the machine, which makes it easier to see what you’re mixing.
Our Testing Process
We tested 22 stand mixers in our Lab and assessed them on ease of cleaning, design, performance, size, features, and value. We measured the performance of these stand mixers by cooking up three recipes of varying textures, including whipped cream, cookie dough, and whole wheat bread. For each, we recorded how long it took the stand mixer to mix the ingredients, evaluated how effectively the ingredients were mixed, and noted if there were any design features that aided or hindered its ability to complete the mixing well and in a timely manner. We then noted whether the machine got hot, whether the motor got taxed while running at a high speed, and how loud it got while mixing. We also noted whether the machine shook while handling the thicker cookie and whole wheat bread doughs.
After that, we tested each product to see how easy it was to clean. This included if the bowl and attachments needed to be washed by hand or if they could be thrown in the dishwasher. We also took note if the product required further disassembly to clean, and if the body of the stand mixer had nooks and crannies that made it even more difficult to wipe down. At the end of our tests, we determined whether we would buy the stand mixer ourselves or recommend it to family or friends. We used all this data to come up with the best stand mixers.
Real Simple / Russell Kilgore
How to Shop for Stand Mixers Like a Pro
Capacity
Capacity is measured by how much you can put in the mixing bowl. Mixing bowl capacities can range from as little as 3.5 quarts to more than 7 quarts. The capacity you choose should be dependent on how much you bake. McDowell tells us that the biggest mistake she sees people make with stand mixers is not buying the right size for their needs. “For example, a ‘professional’ mixer with a larger capacity (7 quarts and up) might not be very helpful if you're into small-batch baking—it can actually prevent you from being able to mix small quantities effectively,” she says. “Think about trying to whip a half cup of cream in a super-large bowl versus in a smaller one—the whisk will have more contact with the cream in a small bowl, while in a large one, it may not even reach it!”
Anna Gordon, founder and chef of The Good Batch Bakery, on the other hand, is a big believer in the bigger the capacity, the better. “A 4-quart bowl is fairly tiny, limiting you to a dozen or so cookies at once, and possibly a single cake layer depending on the cake size,” she says. “If you plan on doing a lot of baking, I’d recommend at least a 6-quart bowl.” If you aren’t able to afford a larger-capacity stand mixer but still do a lot of baking, Gordon recommends buying an extra mixing bowl or two. “An extra bowl will make it easier to accomplish more complex recipes at once, or make multiple batches without washing a ton of dishes between each round,” she says.
Paola Velez, pastry chef and co-founder of Bakers Against Racism, tells us that some stand mixers actually allow you to use different sized mixing bowls with their product, eliminating having to buy a stand mixer based on capacity. The Breville Bakery Chef, for example, comes with both a 5-quart glass bowl and a 4-quart stainless steel bowl.
Attachment and Features
Every stand mixer comes with standard attachments including a flat beater, whisk, and dough hook. Flat beaters are great for making cookies, whisks are used for whipped cream and meringues, and dough hooks are for bread. Most bakes require just these attachments, but there are some stand mixers that come with other types of attachments that can prove helpful. These include dough rollers, dough scrapers, and cookie beaters. Although having extra attachments can be useful and fun, Leshnick recommends people don’t spend more on a mixer if they aren’t sure whether or not they will use those extra attachments. “You can always get more attachments later,” he says. “Start with what you need to make what you have in mind.”
Other helpful features that often come with stand mixers are spatulas to help mix your ingredients by hand in between mixing sessions. These also help with cleaning as well. There are also splash guards that help prevent ingredients from flying out of the machine while mixing. Some also come with an additional mixing bowl that is different from the standard size bowl.
Wattage
Although wattage is often touted as an important feature to consider when buying a stand mixer, the bakers were mixed on whether it’s a surefire indicator of a stand mixer’s success. Leshnick tells us that one of the stand mixers used at Breads Bakery is 500 watts and “works beautifully.” Instead of focusing on watts, he suggests getting a commercial-grade stand mixer for strength, as these “can usually withstand more wear and tear.”
If you’re still interested in using wattage as a decision-making factor, know that wattage in the 200 range is what you’d typically find in a hand mixer. So if you’re going to splurge on a stand mixer, which will cost several hundred dollars more, you might as well get something that starts at the 500-watt range.
Real Simple / Russell Kilgore
More Stand Mixers to Consider
Smeg Stand Mixer: We loved the retro design of the Smeg Stand Mixer as well as the pastel color options available. It was by and far one of the easiest to clean, as the bowl and attachments are dishwasher-safe and there was no ingredient splattering during any of our recipe testing. It did well in our tests, although we found that the motor has a high pitch whine no matter what speed it is on.
Cuisinart Precision Master 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer: We really appreciated the affordable price of this Cuisinart stand mixer, especially since it has features similar to higher-priced models. However, we didn’t like how the machine shook and got hot to the touch while making our cookie dough and bread dough.
Questions You Might Ask
What are the benefits of a stand mixer in comparison to a hand mixer?
The biggest benefit of a stand mixer is that it cuts down on hand and arm fatigue. Anyone who has held a hand mixer for even just a couple minutes knows that it gets very tiring, very quickly. It’s worth it to go through this kind of workout if you only bake here and there, especially considering that the price of a hand mixer is typically hundreds of dollars less than that of a stand mixer.
Stand mixers actually mix ingredients more quickly than hand mixers do. They are also a lot easier to use for big baking jobs as well as tough baking jobs, such as kneading bread. However, because stand mixers are so expensive, they are only worth the investment if you bake regularly.
What’s the difference between a tilt-head stand mixer and a bowl-lift stand mixer?
A tilt-head stand mixer requires you to lift the upper body of the machine up to add the ingredients and swap out the attachments. Meanwhile, with a bowl-lift stand mixer, the mixing bowl attaches to the machine and is lifted up to meet the attachments via a lever.
According to our experts, one isn’t better than the other in terms of performance; however, some have found that the tilt-head offers slightly more in terms of convenience. Both McDowell and Velez told us that with a tilt-head, it can be easier to scrape down ingredients that have stuck to the sides of the mixing bowl. Leshnick also finds that tilt-head stand mixers make it easier to add ingredients into the bowl.
Another convenience difference between these two stand mixers is that bowl-lifts are usually bigger than tilt-lifts, so make sure you have ample counter space to store the machine before you buy one. For tilt-lifts, you also should be sure that you have enough vertical clearance for when you lift the upper half of the machine up.
Real Simple / Russell Kilgore
What's the best way to maintain a stand mixer?
Stand mixers are considered kitchen MVPs, and when well taken care of, they can last for several years. Velez, Gordon, and Leshnick told us that one big threat to the longevity of stand mixers is overworking the motor. “The fastest way to burn out a motor is beating cold butter,” says Gordon. “The only time you should put cold butter into a mixer bowl is if you are making pie crust (pâte brisée method) or some type of dough where butter is slowly broken in,” she says. If you’re about to make something, and your butter is cold, she suggests leaving it out so it can reach room temperature, or softening it a bit in the microwave.
Gordon also suggests starting your mixer on a lower setting, even if the recipe calls for a high setting. “You want to allow the motor a chance to build up to high gear,” she tells us. According to Velez and Leshnick, you can also overwork the motor by using too firm a batter or dough. “If the mixer struggles to mix the dough and is making weird sounds, stop and try to figure out why the dough is so stiff,” says Leshnick. To prevent that from happening altogether, Velez suggests finishing your thick dough recipe outside of the mixer. In addition to preventing the motor from overworking, this trick can prevent the machine’s gears from loosening.
Another way to maintain your stand mixer is to clean it after use. In addition to washing the bowl and attachments (be sure to check whether they are dishwasher-safe), McDowell recommends wiping the machine down to prevent buildup of ingredients. She also suggests being mindful to keep flour or dusty ingredients from entering the main mechanism, such as the vents. And if you have a tilt-head stand mixer, she advises us to always return the tilt head to its lowered, secured position when not in use, which helps to maintain the internal machine.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple. We researched the best stand mixers and tested 22 of the most popular options in our Lab, evaluating them on ease of cleaning, design, performance, size, features, and value. We also spoke to four professional bakers to get their advice on how to choose the best stand mixers, including Paola Velez, pastry chef and co-founder of Bakers Against Racism; Edan Leshnick, head pastry chef at Breads Bakery; Erin McDowell, recipe developer and cookbook author; and Anna Gordon, founder and chef of The Good Batch Bakery.
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Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
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