Last updated on May 26th, 2022
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If mixing, beating and kneading your batters and doughs has built up the muscles in just one of your arms, you need an electric stand mixer. These mixers generally come with three beaters – a flat one, a balloon whisk and a dough hook. Plus there’s always plenty of attachments (e.g. pasta roller, sausage maker) to buy to turn your stand mixer into a true multi-functional kitchen appliance.
We look at the best stand mixers which seem to be dminated by just three companies. We present the pros, cons and features of each model and then make individual recommendations. You’ll notice how similar the different models are, differing mainly in their power, size and their colours. Our Buyer’s Guide goes into the five main questions to ask yourself as you make your purchase decision.
Best Pick
Runner-up
Best Stand Mixer Reviews
1. Kenwood Chef Titanium Stand Mixer
Best Pick
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The Kenwood Chef Titanium Stand Mixer has the most power of the models in this review. At 1,500W you can expect some efficient mixing and beating. This is made more so by the planetary mixing technology that ensures that all the ingredients in the bowl become thoroughly mixed.
Another useful feature of this model is the Halo light. This light shines down from under the mixer head into the bowl, lighting up whatever you’re mixing. You no longer have to place the mixer in just the right place on the countertop so your kitchen light falls directly into the bowl.
The usual beaters are included with your purchase. Make use of the non-stick flat beater, dough hook and whisk. And just throw them all in the dishwasher when you’re done – along with the stainless steel mixing bowl – for fast clean up.
The mixing bowl has a 4.6L capacity. That’s enough to mix 2.72kg of cake batter, or 2.18kg of bread or pizza dough, or 12 egg whites, or 680g of flour for pastry. That’s a lot of baking to do at once.
And you’re not limited to regular mixing or beating as the Kenwood Titanium model takes over 20 optional attachments. As some of these attachments require a low power input and others are high power, the stand mixer has outlets for each of these levels.
The On button is on the same dial used to vary the speed of the mixer. Start slowly and then gradually increase the speed for the best and less messy result. Alternately, use the pulse function for short bursts for mixing, useful when you don’t want to overmix the ingredients
This model is available also in a 6.7L capacity, also in silver. You can also buy the 4.6L size with your first attachment, a blender.
Pros
- Stand mixer with an all metal body (silver coloured) operates at a powerful 1,500W.
- Stainless steel mixing bowl has a 4.6L capacity.
- Halo light shines down into the bowl for clear viewing.
- Planetary mixing action.
- Variable speed control and pulse function.
- Beaters include the K-beater, balloon whisk and the dough hook.
- Splash guard provided.
- Head tilts for easy access to the bowl.
- Over 20 optional attachments.
- Mixer and beaters are safe for the dishwasher.
Cons
Our recommendation
The Kenwood Chef Titanium Stand Mixer has all the features of the other models in this review, and a few more. The bowl light is useful if your kitchen is poorly lit; the variable speed gives you control over how quickly the ingredients mix; and the pulse function lets you mix a bit, then check, then mix again. Plus this is a very powerful stand mixer.
The Kenwood Chef Titanium Stand Mixer is the Best Pick in this review.
Looking to make homemade ice cream? Check out my review of the best electric ice cream makers
2. KitchenAid Artisan 4.8L Stand Mixer
Runner-up
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The KitchenAid Artisan 4.8L Stand Mixer, Matte Black, is from KitchenAid’s top line of mixers. The polished stainless steel bowl has a 4.8L capacity, which is a good size for making items for a family. This translates to 1kg of all-purpose flour, or 12 egg whites, or enough dough for 108 cookies. And you can also process small batches of food.
You have a choice of 10 speed settings. Adjusted by sliding a lever on the side of the mixer head. The first two speeds are marked individually so you can start the mixing process slowly so a cloud of flour doesn’t fly up from the mixing bowl. The head tilts up so you can easily access the bowl in case you need to scrape the ingredients down.
And speaking of mixing, this KitchenAid model uses a technology called planetary motion to beat and whisk. This is a special motion that ensures that all the ingredients in the bowl are quickly and thoroughly incorporated together. You receive the basic three beaters with your purchase of this mixer – that general flat beater, a whisk and a dough hook.
Your choice of optional (and tempting) attachments includes a grain mill, a meat grinder/sausage stuffer, a spiraliser, ice cream maker, and the always popular pasta roller and cutter.
This 4.8L mixer is also available in candy apple red, contour silver, empire red, black and medallion silver.
There’s also a mini Artisan mixer model with a 3.3L capacity brushed stainless steel mixing bowl. Your choice of colours there are almond cream, empire red, matte black and matte grey.
Pros
- Electric stand mixer has 300W of power in its iconic design.
- Head tilts up for easy access to the mixing bowl.
- Choice of 10 speed settings.
- Includes 4.8L stainless steel bowl.
- Comes with flat beater, balloon whisk and dough hook.
- Optional, 25+ attachments available.
- Motor produces planetary action when mixing.
- Five-year warranty.
Cons
- Stay at lowest speed when mixing dough.
Our recommendation
KitchenAid stand mixers are the gold standard for this kitchen appliance. And the Artisan series is considered to be the top of the line. The five-year warranty backs up this mixer’s high quality. Planetary action ensures efficient and effective mixing of ingredients and the optional attachments cover many other kitchen tasks.
The KitchenAid Artisan 4.8L Stand Mixer, Matte Black is the Runner-up in my review. This is a great choice if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen and want to start to build up a highest-quality multi-functional kitchen appliance.
Another alternative I use instead of a stand mixer is a Bosch 5.5 L Silver 1500 W MUM9DT5S41 Kitchen Food Processor which also mixers dough and blends, read my best kitchen food processor review here to learn more
3. Cuisinart SM-50BK Stand Mixer
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Cuisinart is the third company that seems to have sewn-up the best reviewed stand mixers. The Cuisinart SM-50BK Stand Mixer, Black, is a compact mixer, but the power at 500W is respectable. It also has a large capacity stainless steel bowl at 5.5L (that’s five dozen cookies).
The mixer head on the all metal body tilts back to let you easily see into the mixing bowl and scrape down any unincorporated stuff. However, according to quite a few online reviewers, you do need to use both hands for the head tilt. You need to push the locking mechanism at the back of the head down and out and, at the same time, you have to raise the mixer head. That takes up two hands, so they ask what you’re supposed to do with the messy spatula that you’re going to use for scraping.
Putting aside this design “quirk”, the variable speed option on this stand mixer with its 12 speeds is useful. Start the (included) flat paddle, dough hook or whisk moving slowly and then ramp up to the speed appropriate to what you’re mixing. But use the splash guard (also included) anyway, in case any flour or other light powder jumps out of the mixer and makes a mess in your kitchen.
Optional attachments that are available include a meat grinder, a spiraliser and a frozen dessert maker. You have a wide choice of decor-influenced colours with this stand mixer including agave green, arctic blue, blushing coral, brushed chrome and white.
Pros
- Compact electric stand mixer that operates at 500W.
- Stainless steel bowl has a 5.5L capacity.
- Head tilts back to let you access the bowl easily.
- All metal body.
- Planetary mixing action.
- Variable speed with 12 speed choices.
- Comes with flat mixing paddle, dough hook and whisk.
- Includes a splash guard.
- Optional attachments available.
Cons
- Need two hands to raise the tilting head.
- Fewer attachments than other brands.
Our recommendation
The Cuisinart SM-50BK Stand Mixer, Black, is a large capacity (5.5L bowl) stand mixer. It’s tiltable head lets you access the bowl but takes some juggling with the controls for this if you’re holding a scraping spatula. The 12 speed controls put you firmly in control of the mixing process. While this brand has just a few optional attachments, the most popular ones are there.
The Cuisinart SM-50BK Stand Mixer, Black, is a good choice if you’re looking for a large capacity stand mixer and aren’t hung up on having many attachments as well.
4. Kenwood KMix Stand Mixer
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The Kenwood KMix Stand Mixer is part of a well-reviewed line, KMix, from this high quality company. This electric mixer produces 1,000W of power unto its cream coloured rounded retro design. The 5L capacity mixing bowl is made of glass so you can see the ingredients all mixing up together and judge when everything is incorporated. You can make the batter for up to 44 cupcakes simultaneously in this model.
As with other current KitchenAid stand mixers, this KMix model uses planetary action. With this technology, the non-stick beaters mix the ingredients efficiently and don’t leave anything out. The flat beater, whisk and dough hook come with your purchase and they and the mixing bowl are all dishwasher safe for easy clean-up. Ten optional attachments make your stand mixer into a multi-functional appliance.
The variable speed dial is on one side of the body of the stand mixer. You can start the mixing process slowly so flour or other light ingredients don’t come flying out of the mixing bowl. And if you do forget to do this, the (included) splash guard keeps everything in the bowl.
This KMix model seems to have a history, according to online reviews, of the plastic ring below the bowl cracking or causing the bowl to stick in place. However, the complaints have tailed off in the last year, so maybe the problem has been fixed.
This model is also available in a variety of other colours including black, pastel blue, pink and red.
Pros
- Electric mixer has 1,000W of power in its cream colour retro design.
- Comes with beater, dough hook and balloon whisk.
- Planetary mixing action is effective and efficient.
- Mixing bowl is transparent glass and has a 5L capacity.
- Head tilts for access to the bowl.
- Ten optional attachments are available.
- Mixer and tools are dishwasher safe.
- Splash guard is removable.
- Five-year motor warranty.
Cons
- History of plastic ring below glass bowl cracking or sticking.
Our recommendation
The Kenwood KMix Stand Mixer has a lot of power (1,000W) for its mixing and beating process. The 5L capacity glass bowl is one of the largest in this review and lets you watch how your ingredients are being mixed together. Ten optional kitchen attachments make tasks such as pasta rolling and cutting and vegetable slicing quick and easy.
The Kenwood KMix Stand Mixer is a good choice if you’re looking for a powerful stand mixer you can build on.
5. KitchenAid 5K45SSBWH Classic Stand Mixer
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The KitchenAid 5K45SSBWH Classic Stand Mixer, 4.3 Litre, White, is smaller than the KitchenAid Artisan mixer. The power output is relatively low at 250W but the 4.3L capacity stainless steel bowl is a middle-range size.
The look of this Classic model is very round and adds a visual softness to kitchens. The tiltable head has the controls for the variable speed on the side. This is via a lever along a clearly marked scale of 10 speeds. Stop the mixing and tilt the head back to access your food in the bowl – it’s that easy.
It’s more important than ever to start mixing slowly, as your purchase doesn’t include a splash guard. Unmixed flour could fly out at high speeds and liquids could splash on to the countertop.
The usual three beaters – flat paddle, dough hook and whisk – are included and are dishwasher safe to make cleaning up not such a chore. This unit is another model that uses the (now seemingly standard) planetary action to mix the contents of the bowl fully and quickly (well, depending on how fast you set the speed).
You have a choice of 10 optional attachments to give up more of your kitchen tasks to your KitchenAid Classic stand mixer. But carefully select the ones that you know you will use frequently. Some options are a meat grinder, a vegetable and fruit slicer, and a pasta roller and cutter.
Pros
- Electric stand mixer in white with 250W of power.
- Ten speeds controlled by a lever on the side of the tilting head.
- Bowl is stainless steel with a 4.3L capacity.
- Comes with flat beater, balloon whisk and dough hook.
- Over 10 optional attachments available.
- Planetary action for mixing.
- Two-year warranty.
Cons
- Shield guard not included.
Our recommendation
The KitchenAid 5K45SSBWH Classic Stand Mixer, 4.3 Litre, White, has power on the lower end of the range of the stand mixers in this review. But it still supports mixing in a 4.3L bowl – and that’s large enough for creating food for a family. The 10 speeds let you pick the appropriate mixing pace for whatever’s in the bowl.
The KitchenAid 5K45SSBWH Classic Stand Mixer, 4.3 Litre, White, is a useful stand mixer for those who want a competent and classic-looking stand mixer.
Buyer’s Guide for Stand Mixers
This Buyer’s Guide covers the top five issues to consider when buying the best stand mixer for your kitchen needs.
What are you going to use the stand mixer for?
Think about what you currently mix by hand or with an hand electric mixer. What sorts of recipes do you make and how much of anyone do you mix up at the same time? Do you need to make a lot of dough at once, frequently. If you always seem to be mixing or beating something, then a stand mixer is a good choice for you.
What’s your price range for the mixer?
It’s so easy to get caught up in wanting that lime green mixer or the one with polka dots, or just having an iconic KitchenAid mixer on your work top. But you need to be practical about price here. Maybe you can afford an entry-level mixer in a well-reviewed range rather than a top mixer in another not-so-well-designed series. Be wise with your budget here and you won’t get varied away.
How much room do you have for your mixer?
Stand mixers are generally quite large and heavy. You need to have room to use a mixer on your countertop and then in a cupboard to store it. Plus you need the strength to lift it up and down from one place to the other. You don’t want a very lightweight mixer as the mixer’s weight is what keeps it firmly on the surface as it mixes up your bread dough. On the other hand, if it’s too heavy to manage, you may hardly ever use it. Be realistic about where you are going to use and store your mixer and how you’re going to deal with it.
How much mixing do you want the mixer to do at once?
We’ve covered the size of the stand mixer with regard to how large the unit is. But the capacity of the mixing bowl determines how much food you can mix at once. Capacity is usually given in litres, but some manufacturers translate this to ingredient amounts such as 640g of flour or makes 44 cupcakes. Be aware that online reviewers remark that the larger capacity stand mixers (5L and up) are not so good at handling smaller batchers of mixing as the paddles/beaters may not reach to the bottom of the bowl.
What mixer attachments would you use?
Another place it’s easy to get caught up in is in buying attachments for your stand mixer. While it’s tempting to buy the pasta maker attachment to make fresh pasta for your friends and family, how often are you really going to use it?
It’s quite a hassle to make fresh pasta, and not something to do when you’re in a rush to put dinner on the table. Which of the attachments will save you time and effort in your everyday kitchen tasks?
Which will help you in pursuing a culinary adventure? Some of your choices are: slicer/shredder; ravioli maker; juicer; ice cream maker; food grinder; fruit strainer; grain mill.
Final conclusion
A stand mixer may change how often you make bread and cakes as they’re easier to use than hand mixers. Plus the optional attachments also make other kitchen tasks (such as slicing and shredding, or juicing) quicker as well. All the stand mixers in our review come with three basic beaters – a flat one for general use, a whisk and a dough hook. Just be sure to buy one that’s large enough for your current and anticipated needs, but not too large that you won’t use it.
Our Best Pick is the Kenwood Chef Titanium Stand Mixer. As well as the usual three beaters, this model has a pulse function, variable speed and a light that illuminates the inside of the mixing bowl.
The Kitchenaid Artisan 4.8L Stand Mixer, Matte Black is our Runner-up in this review. This stand mixer has 10 variable speeds, and comes in a variety of colours and with over 25 optional attachments.
For cooking your baked goods mixed in your stand mixer, consider one of the convection microwaves we recommend. And if you’re one of the many people who use their stand mixer to mix and knead dough, how about some homemade soup from your soup maker or a nourishing stew from a slow cooker to go with it?
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
